by Neville Paul, STAR Writer

black river

With 44 cases down for trial in the Easter session of the St Elizabeth Circuit court, just over a third these of cases relate to sexual offences.

This was disclosed at the opening at the Circuit Court yesterday in Black River which will be presided over by High Court Judge, Justice Donald McIntosh.

Of the 44 cases listed for trial, 17 are for sexual offences and 16 for murder. Thirteen other cases are also down for trial in the gun court session of the circuit court.

Over the last six sittings of the St Elizabeth Circuit Court, concerns are been expressed over the increasing number of sexual offence cases being brought to the court in the parish.

However despite the increase in reported sexual offences, sources at the health centres within the parish say many more cases have gone unreported.

It was pointed out that a number of teenage pregnancies involving females under the age of 16 have been turning up at these facilities.

It has also been reported that many of these cases involving teenage mothers who have been compromised after the would-be fathers promised to provide support for both mother and child.

At the same time, officers attached to the St Elizabeth office of the Centre for investigation of sexual offences and child abuse, (CISOCA) say they will be embarking on a number of community meetings to outline the seriousness of the offence. Recently, there has been several cases in the parish involving young men who have been engaging in sexual relationship with juveniles.