Raped college students processed over seven gruelling hours
October 20, 2006
THE two female students who were raped at gunpoint at the United Theological College of the West Indies (UTC) two weeks ago were reportedly forced to endure some seven gruelling hours at the rape unit, prompting the college to call for a change in the processing method.
The UTC said the police's method of processing rape victims is far too "painful" and "stressful", and the college has proposed ways to improve it.
"Part of the concern is that the process is as stressful and painful as the initial experience," Reverend Trevor Edwards, acting UTC president, told the Observer.
According to Edwards, the two women were subjected to "very detailed processing" at the Centre for Investigation of Sexual Offences and Child Abuse (CISOCA).
In a recent letter addressed to Commissioner of Police Lucius Thomas, Edwards asked that CISOCA reduce the time that victims spend there.
"The interview, which was done at the Rape Unit (CISOCA).resulted in the two young women having to be at the unit from approximately 11:30 am to 6:30 pm," the letter said.
Efforts to get a response from the Commissioner's office were unsuccessful. But Inspector Dutress Foster-Gardner from CISOCA said the processing time included the collection of statements as well as medical examinations.
"Statements take time," Foster-Gardner remarked. "We have to collect comprehensive statements."...
Author: Kerry McCatty
Source: Jamaica Observer
