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While crime continues to plague the streets of Jamaica, violence is increasingly affecting schools. Incidents with students displaying violent behaviour towards their schoolmates are becoming more frequent, causing the locals to be concerned. One of the latest incidents highlights gang-related violence in schools and has resulted in the arrest of a schoolboy from Hopewell High School.
The schoolboy was arrested in connection to a brazen attack on a different schoolboy. The assault was recorded, and the disturbing video was shared online. In the video, male students from Hopewell High School in Hanover gang up on a 15-year-old male student, who is beaten to tears. The victim is repeatedly slapped in the face, kicked, and punched. Despite his pleas, the other students continued to beat him.
The police have since apprehended the main suspect and are investigating the matter. A report from the Jamaica Gleaner detailed that the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA) spoke to the school, the victim, and the victim’s father on Thursday. The victim, who received medical aid on Friday, will receive psychological support through CPFSA’s Children and Family Support Unit.
According to the report, the victim was physically assaulted twice by the group of boys in the past few days. The CEO of CPFSA, Laurette Adams-Thomas, condemned the students’ behaviour as “heartless” and urged parents to take a more proactive approach to protecting and supporting their children.
Parents are also encouraged to be observant so that they can identify signs of bullying or abuse and create a safe, open environment where their children feel comfortable discussing such issues. Additionally, she emphasised the importance of not ignoring their children’s cries for help and stressed the need for parents to serve as positive role models.
Watch the video of the incident below:
