Amidst public discourse over the alleged sexual assault of a female minor in Linstead, St. Catherine, on Thursday, a call is being made for the implementation of a School Maintenance Road Programme to ensure thoroughfares near educational institutions are vehicle-worthy.
The seven-year-old girl was reportedly ambushed while walking home alone from school in Mount Diablo, near the Treadways area.
Reports are that she was drugged before being assaulted.
The suspect is in police custody.
Member of Parliament (MP) for North West St. Catherine, Damion Crawford, told IRIE FM News that the child, her parents, school community and members of the neighbourhood have been traumatized by the incident.
Mr. Crawford said that after visiting the parents, it was understood that the child opted to walk home after having difficulties obtaining transportation.
According to Mr. Crawford, the lack of transportation is a result of the poor condition of the roadway.
He is calling for the establishment of a road programme to address the problem and to help ensure children’s safety.
The MP is also renewing the call for Jamaica’s Sex Offender Registry to be made public.
Mr. Crawford explained that, based on reports, this is allegedly not the suspect’s first offence of this kind.
