Jamaica: Child ‘Wives’ – Sexual Slavery Illegal and Harmful

Mary Clarke, children’s advocate and former director of the Social Development and Gender Unit at the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), is concerned about the failure of Jamaicans to report child abuse – and especially sexual abuse – to the Sexual Abuse Registry, established for the purpose.

Responding to the recent Statistical Institute of Jamaica’s (STATIN) Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, which disclosed that girls are often in a union at an early age – many of them with men up to 10 years their senior – Clarke said that some of these associations might constitute an abusive and illegal relationship, which should be immediately reported.

According to Clarke, while there may be many reasons for the phenomenon of early unions, the men who coerce or seduce girls younger than age 16 into a common-law relationship will find themselves in breach of the law and the parents who aid and abet them are equally liable, she said.

Long-term negative effects

Meanwhile, local psychologists are noting that early sexual involvement can have long-term negative effects on girls. The STATIN survey revealed that one in every 10 Jamaican women is married or in a common-law union before her 18th birthday, and approximately one per cent are doing so before age 15. Six per cent of the number of women engaging in early marriages/ unions are from rural Jamaica, while those in urban areas represent four per cent.

According to clinical psychologist Dr. Kai Morgan, who is based at the University of the West Indies Hospital, if early sexual initiation is forced, involves penetration and is repeated, it has the most severe impact.

Generally, she said, “Early sexual initiation does introduce such pre-teens/teens to sex before they are ready developmentally, and this interferes with their overall well-being/mental health. Girls of that age are not fully equipped to handle such responsibilities … not to mention the possible consequences of same, including HIV, STIs and pregnancy.”

Counselling psychologist attached to Family Life Ministries in Kingston, Joan Rhule, added that these unions place males and females at an elevated risk of HIV and other transmitted diseases.

Disastrous consequences

More generally, Rhule said, early motherhood and other adult responsibilities, embraced as part of the wife package, often have disastrous consequences.

“Adolescents are characterised by intense sensations, unpredictable and overpowering moods, conflicting demands and expectations. They seek to find fulfilment in relationships that many times, lead to unintended pregnancies with the decreased likelihood of graduating from school, unemployment and economic dependence.”

Such teenagers, she said, often exhibit mental-health problems, for which they need treatment. This includes denial, guilt, shame and regret.

“Marriage at a very early age is often accompanied by great regret,” said Rhule. “Some grow to hate the responsibility, grow tired of one partner, and have great guilt that they have made a mess of their lives. They may find themselves with the partner that they do not want for a lifetime or even a long time. They develop low feelings of self-worth.”

Rhule said that onerous housekeeping duties, combined with low self-esteem and other adult responsibilities also have led, in some cases, to attempted suicide on the part of teenage spouses.

The psychologist noted: “With no time to pursue careers that they see their peers doing, their dreams are shattered and the world seems unfriendly and hopeless while they remain with men who see them as slaves. They are used and abused, with no form of upward mobility. They are much younger than men who choose them as partners, but who treat them as children. Respect is missing. They are manipulated and treated as chattels or goods which are owned.”

know the law

Clarke maintains that “people need to know the law. Marriage under the age of 16 requires parental consent. Any (sexual) unions made under 16 is illegal.” The children’s advocate also took issue with what she refers to as the, “dependency syndrome of women.” She noted that many women were selling themselves for economic gain. While admitting that welfare systems need to be made more accessible to the poor, Clarke argued, “it all comes back to values and attitudes.”

She warned that men who have women living with girls under age 16 can be locked up for carnal abuse and the parents can also be charged for allowing this to happen.

To report any form of sexual or child abuse, call

1-888-PROTECT or the police number emergency line 119.

Source: Jamaica Gleaner – 10 February 2008