Appalling headline on child sex abuse

THE EDITOR, Sir:

UNICEF Jamaica is deeply disturbed by the manner in which THE STAR chose to report on a video that has been circulating in which a young child is being sexually abused by a man.

The headline, 'Child gives man blow job on video', was published on the front page of THE STAR on February 1, 2018.

We find this absolutely appalling and unacceptable.

The headline suggests sexual activity of a consensual nature. We are certain that THE STAR's editorial team is aware that a young child cannot provide consent under the law. This child was a victim. Her right to protection from sexual abuse was horribly violated. She was then doubly victimised by this headline.

By placing a headline of this nature on the front page of the newspaper, it gave sensational prominence to a grave issue plaguing scores of children whether in Trinidad, Jamaica or across the Caribbean and disgracefully turned attention on the victim, rather than the perpetrator.

We urge the Press Association of Jamaica to denounce this headline and to call on the STAR to desist from this type of reporting in the future.

MARK CONNOLLY

UNICEF Jamaica

Representative