Cops to probe reports of sexual assaults at shelters
Published:Friday | November 7, 2025 | 12:08 AMKaren Madden/Gleaner Writer
The Police High Command is to investigate reports that women have been sexually assaulted in shelters established following the passage of Hurricane Melissa.
Responding to questions posed by The Gleaner during yesterday’s special press briefing on hurricane recovery, Information Minister Dr Dana Morris Dixon acknowledged receiving the reports, which had not been confirmed.
“That issue was brought to my attention, and there was a specific shelter that was raised, and I have passed it to the commissioner of police,” Morris Dixon said.
She told reporters that Police Commissioner Dr Kevin Blake, in a message to her while the briefing was under way, confirmed that he had also received the reports, which he promised to investigate provide a response.
In the meantime, Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness told the briefing that the matter of security at the shelters would be taken seriously.
“We are going to Cabinet in a few minutes, and I will raise the matter at Cabinet with Minister Chang (Dr Horace Chang, minister of national security), and we will ensure that there is adequate coverage for them.”
Furthermore, amid reports of persons being robbed in the areas of devastation, particularly while transporting relief supplies, the prime minister also issued a warning to criminals.
“I just want to make this appeal to every Jamaican. Yes, it is a difficult time. Yes, there is disaster all around, but now is not the time to take advantage of persons weaker than yourself. Now is the time to help and support and to show that you are a real man, not by holding up people at gun point, taking away the relief that they are bringing. Try helping them through the obstacles to deliver the relief. That is how yuh going to get respect today. There is no respect that yuh going to get from brandishing yuh gun. Let it be clear: the police have not let up on their operations.”