Holness warns parents against sexual grooming of minors 

Holness warns parents against sexual grooming of minors

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has warned parents who facilitate “sexual grooming” of minors that they will be punished under the Aiding and Abetting Law.

“The parents, well there is also a crime for aiding and abetting. So, the parents who know this and facilitate it and encourage it, you too will also be held responsible!”, the prime minister cautioned.

He also lashed out at adults who coerce minors into sexual relationships.

“All a the man them who a invite out the girl them and a carry them go a beach – the little pickny them; a give them cellphone and a give them money, stop it! It is a crime and you will be punished for it,” warned Holness.

“Little girl in a relationship with a older man, girl get pregnant, man kill the girl because he doesn’t want his other baby mother to find out. Several young girls under age killed, murdered. While this is happening, some of us know about it. Know that the little man is fooling around with the little girl. Say nothing, because as far as we are concerned, it is man and woman business.

“It is not man and woman business if one of the persons involved, or both of the persons involved are minors. It is a crime and I don’t care if you are a Don or Donna. It is wrong.”

Holness was on Sunday addressing a Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Area Council Four Annual General Meeting, held at the Rusea’s High School in Lucea, Hanover.

He disclosed that through a policy decision he has instructed that “there must be zero tolerance for any case that is found for the sexual grooming of our children”.