3,014 cases of sexual offences against children were reported to the police up to May 12.

These offences were carried out against 2,154 children since January 1, 2023.

Superintendent of Police in Charge of the Centre for the Investigation of Sexual Offences and Child Abuse (CISOCA) Kerry-Ann Bailey made the disclosure today.

Noting that these incidents are a cause for concern, she said sexual abuse will not be tolerated.

She said the incidents include, sexual intercourse with a person under 16 years of age, grievous sexual assault and rape.

The CISOCA Head pointed out that people can use various methods of reporting cases to the police.

There have been fresh concerns about the safety of the nation’s children after 9-year-old Kelsey Ferrigon was reportedly sexually assaulted and murdered last Friday.

Her partially naked body was discovered upside down inside a barrel at her home in Job Lane, Spanish Town, St. Catherine.

Police named 30-year-old Giovanni Ellis, also called “Coolie Man” as a person of interest and urged him to surrender.

Ellis was fatally shot by lawmen in Clarendon on Monday.

In a separate incident last Saturday, a 59-year-old man was mobbed by angry residents in Leeds, St. Elizabeth, after it was alleged that he touched a 6-year-old girl inappropriately.