Nah fatten fowl fi mongoose

A recent article in the Jamaica Gleaner caught my attention. Entitled "Sex Crackdown", it examined the carnal abuse problem in Jamaica. This is, by no means, a new problem and studies don't necessarily prove an increase in carnal abuse incidents. Overshadowed by more seemingly serious topics such as the murder rate, drug trafficking and unfair politics, this problem has been under-examined by the Jamaican media. Perhaps the issue didn't carry enough weight to sell newspapers (homosexuality did).

To be fair, there have been sprinkles of articles in the past five years but rarely has outrage been expressed. It's as though nobody wants to be the bad guy and there's a clear reason for that. Our Fathers, Uncles, Pastors , brothers and cousins are all involved. Yes, I said it!!! We all have a family member with a "young girl" problem.

Look around you. The evidence is too much to deny:

• Your Mother had you when she was merely a teenager (Please. This is not a license to chastise your Father).
• It turns out that the rumours about that girl from your high school who disappeared for a year, were not actually rumours. She was impregnated by the Baptist Church Pastor.
• Your 23 year old big brother was not really playing hide and seek with your 13 year old friend.
• Your Math teacher was teaching more than Math.
• Mr Trevor really did have sex with his daughter because "him nah fatten no fowl fi mongoose".

We can all relate to at least one of these scenarios.

When I talk to my male friends about this situation, their response is usually that these young girls are "brazen and force ripe". This is true in some cases, but I suppose hell would actually freeze over if they were to refuse these advances.

I applaud the police and the media for what seems to be a serious undertaking. It's long overdue but, "better late than never".