Jamaicans protest violence against nurse
Scores of nurses and other healthcare workers took to the streets on Monday, to protest the physical assault of a nurse in St. Andrew last Tuesday.
The nurse was beaten, wrestled to the ground and stomped on by a businessman armed with a gun.
Members of the Nurses Association of Jamaica (NAJ) were joined by members from the Jamaica Enrolled Nurses Association and the Jamaica Midwives Association in the call for justice for their injured colleague. The nurses started their protest at the University of the West Indies before marching to other venues.
On Saturday, St. Andrew North Detectives named the accused, 65-year-old businessman Robert Bell, in connection with the beating of the nurse.
The incident, which occurred on Mount Friendship Road in St. Andrew, drew widespread condemnation from various sectors of society. Many on social media have expressed doubt that the offender will face any jail time, based on the outcome of other cases where high profile citizens in the country have essentially been given a slap on the wrist. Even so, they came to the conclusion that even if the justice system fails, God’s judgement will be sure. The Advocate Network is amongst the group that has called for transparency in dealing with this particular case.
“The AN hears the cry from the public for justice to be done in this case, as there are concerns that the perpetrator will get off lightly based on his socio-economic status. We are calling for this case to be handled transparently and for justice to be fairly and impartially delivered. It is essential to send a strong, clear message of non-tolerance of violence, especially towards women and girls,” the group stated in a press release.
Bell has been charged with:
- Assault occasioning actual bodily harm
- Assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm
- Assault at common law
- Possessing a firearm with intent to commit a first schedule offence
- Possession of a firearm with intent to cause injuries
