In the past three weeks there have been (to my knowledge) two horrific cases of rape against members of the lesbian community.
Information passed to me from a reliable source stated that the first reported case was in the first week of September. A butch female was reportedly kidnapped and raped by six men in the St. Ann area on September 3. The matter was reported to the police who took her to the parish public hospital where she was treated. Since hearing of the incident I have not been fortunate to hear any more of her or her situation. It seems she was specifically targeted as she is a known lesbian, for this reason then this seems to have been a case of “corrective rape”.
The second incident happened just two weeks later. Another lesbian was kidnapped and held at knife point and raped. This also happened in the St. Ann region. Her matter was also reported to the police and she was taken to the hospital where she was treated.
It must be said that the police (in the second case I’m sure) handled this matter in a somewhat professional way. The sexuality of the individual (second case) was not disclosed during the taking of the statement and one can only hope that such a disclosure would not have made a difference in the treatment of her case.
Both cases were orally reported to WfW (Women for Women) and JFLAG (Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, All-Sexuals and Gays). WfW (being the first to be informed and having been approached for help by one of the women) stepped in and provided support. JFLAG having also been approached has offered to help in the instance of relocation and counseling.
The police (as far as I can tell) and the support from the groups within the community should be commended for their support and professionalism that was displayed to these women.
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