Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment, and Sport Olivia Grange has joined several Jamaicans in condemning a viral video of a schoolgirl being sexually assaulted by several young men.

Grange, while making a statement in Parliament on Tuesday, November 26, in commemoration of International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, said violence is still a
horrific reality for too many women and girls.

“This house has joined me several times in the past in condemning violent attacks against our women and children. And I know the entire House shares my outrage and deep concern about what has been described in the video, which continues, unfortunately, to make the rounds. This is a prime example of the kind of behaviour and incident that the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women is intended to end—by drawing attention to the fact that violence is still a horrific reality for too many women and girls and by enlisting more of us in the fight to end the violence,” Grange noted.

She said the government has implemented a raft of measures to tackle the violence, including programmatic initiatives, policies, and new and amended legislation, which have been passed with the support of both sides of the House.

“I keep saying that we can end the violence, but it requires all of us to end the violence. I encourage us to use this commemoration of International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women as an
occasion for us to engage with the young people in our care—in our homes, in our schools, in our churches, in our clubs, wherever they may be—about what is appropriate behaviour and how to show respect for themselves and others,” Grange said.

“I call on the nation to review how we view violence—especially violence in the home. We know that the risk of violence is greatest in societies where the use of violence is a socially accepted norm. The risk of violence, sadly, is high in Jamaica because too many of us believe this violence is normal and inevitable. Violence is not inevitable. It doesn’t have to happen. It shouldn’t happen. We have to normalise the use of non-violent means to resolve our conflicts. We have to cultivate a new culture that is intolerant of all forms of violence in our homes, in our institutions, in our workplaces, in our communities. Everywhere.”

Granger further called on Jamaicans to join in the 16 days of activism from now until December 10.

“I ask the men of this House, especially, to demonstrate their commitment to ending the violence against women by wearing the purple ribbon over the period of the 16 days of activism. The survey indicates that 1 in 4 Jamaican women experience intimate partner violence in their lifetime and 1 in 3 experience some form of sexual abuse, including rape, incest, and sexual harassment. It is in our power to change that and create a better way for the women of Jamaica,” she concluded.