A 13-year-old girl was rushed to a hospital after a violent attack by a man who attempted to sexually assault her. The rape incident in Negril, Westmoreland, involved a man reportedly trying to lure the teen into a house. Reports say the young girl was unwilling to enter the premises, prompting the man to use extreme force and violence.
Her resistance reportedly led the attacker to inflict severe injuries on her before fleeing the scene. TVJ News reported that the girl sustained cuts from a sharpened weapon. The extent of her wounds and her current condition are unclear.
Police later apprehended the suspect, who was reportedly responsible for the teen’s injuries, but his identity was not disclosed to the public.
This shocking event has left numerous Jamaicans troubled. After the news broke on Tuesday, they took to social media to express their sorrow, anger, and prayers for the young girl’s recovery. One user shared how frightening it was to hear such violence happening so close to home, while others voiced frustration over the ongoing dangers faced by children in communities.
Several posts highlighted concerns about safety measures, with some suggesting that children may now need to carry self-defence tools on their way to school. One parent described giving her teenage son a knife for protection, reflecting the growing fear many families feel.
Many commenters called for swift justice, and others expressed hope that the community would come together to support the girl and her family during this difficult time.
Expressions of faith and hope also filled the online responses. Messages asking for divine protection and healing were common, with many emphasising the girl’s bravery in standing up to her attacker.
The recent attack on a teenage girl in Westmoreland has renewed conversations about violence against women and children in Jamaica. This tragic incident follows a string of incidents that have shocked the nation, including the May murder of 9-year-old Kelsey Ferrigon, who was raped and found dead at her Spanish Town home.
Another incident that caused nationwide outrage was University of Technology student Anisa Dilworth’s case, which began as a missing person case and escalated to a murder investigation after her remains were found on a beach in Portmore. Just weeks ago, 14-year-old Jamaican-American Tianna Sutherland was fatally attacked while visiting relatives.