THE PARISH of St. Catherine is experiencing a sharp increase in the number of carnal abuse and rape cases.
According to statistics from the Constabulary Communication Network (CCN), North St. Catherine, which takes in Spanish Town and Linstead, had a 70 per cent increase between 1999 and 2000 (January to July). There were 12 reported carnal abuse cases in 1999 and 42 for this year.
South St. Catherine also showed a similar trend with a 60 per cent increase of carnal abuse cases. The division incorporates Portmore and Old Harbour. The statistics showed that there were 10 reported carnal abuse cases in 1999 and 25 this year.
Meanwhile, the number of reported murders decreased slightly in North St. Catherine from 52 in 1999 to 44 for this year for January to July period. However, South St. Catherine had a slight increase of two murders with the statistics at 31 in 1999 and 33 for this year.
