Rape has been on the rise in western Jamaica over the past few weeks, but has taken a sick, hideous, outrageous turn for the worst. You may wonder if rape can get any worse as it is the ultimate violation of a woman. Below are excepts from an article entitled: “Rapists Fuel Concern Out West” published in today’s Edition of the Daily Gleaner.

An eight-year-old St James girl is the latest victim to suffer at the hands of rapists who went on a rampage last weekend in the parish, assaulting five women in the process.

The youngster from an inner-city community was gang-raped by five men at the Charles Gordon Market, Fustic Road, in the second city, while the other women were abducted and taken to various sections of downtown Montego Bay where the acts were carried out between Friday and Saturday night.

St James is the second parish in the western side of the island rocked by rapists. Over in Bounty Hall, in neighbouring Trelawny, a 19-year-old was hospitalised after being raped last weekend.

Her attack came days after a 13-year-old, who was here on vacation, was carnally abused in the presence of her father, who was tied up and robbed.

Those victims bring to four such cases in Trelawny over the last two weeks. On Emancipation Day, the body of a 15-year-old girl was found in bushes, while items of clothing believed to belong to her attacker, were found at the scene. She was raped and stabbed several times.

These are official reports and news abounds of other atrocities being committed including 2 kidnappings of under-age girls. The entire district of Bounty Hall (only 6 miles away from here) is in fear, as the rapist seeks to carry out his sexual executions on his alleged “list” of young girls. It is said that the rapist is HIV positive, seeking to take revenge for having contracted the virus from a young girl. The alleged rapist’s cousin got raped last night 4 miles away in Green Park. in what seems to be a reprisal.

What is happening? Are we trying to compete as to who can do the more extreme crimes? Why is it that there are so many serial criminals here? Why can’t they be caught? Why do we have such scant disregard for human life? Most of all, how can 5 men rape an eight year old? How easy is it to get 5 people together who can all agree to rape a baby?

Finally, do you think it is fair for the lives of these men to be spared when they are caught? Should they spend the rest of their lives in prison for these unscrupulous acts?

In committing certain crimes, I think the criminal has given up his right to life.