PNP councillor welcomes apology, but renews call for Hampton principal to resign

Loop
January 09, 2017

http://www.loopjamaica.com/content/pnp-councillor-welcomes-apology-renews-call-hampton-principal-resign

In a statement Monday afternoon, Councilor Douglas said she welcomes news that Murray has apologised for attempting to bar the media from taking photographs at Court of the alleged child abuser, 64-year-old Moravian pastor, Rupert Clarke, who was charged with rape last week after being allegedly caught in a compromising position in his car with a 15-year-old girl in Austin district, St Elizabeth.

However, Councillor Douglas said she is shocked by Murray’s admission that she signed documents in relation to the accused child abuser’s move to secure his temporary freedom (bail).

Commenting further, Councillor Douglas said while it is not wrong to sign documents as a Justice of the Peace in furtherance of bail being processed, Murray should have recognised that her sensitive and substantive post as Principal, along with her duty of care to hundreds of young girls, should have compelled her not to associate herself with the process of the alleged child abuser securing his temporary freedom.

Councillor Douglas said she very much believes in forgiveness. However, Murray's apology for one aspect of her series of errors is not enough and there comes a time when society has to stand up and send a very strong  signal to persons in authority especially, that perceived support for the scourge of child abuse, whether it is implied or not, will not be tolerated.  

Douglas said: “Mrs. Murray has contributed much to the education sector and should be thanked. Nobody is trying to detract from or deny her positive contribution. However, I am appealing to Mrs. Murray to recognize that her position is untenable because there are individuals who no longer have confidence in her ability to protect hundred of our nation’s girls and do not consider Hampton High as a suitable destination for their children with her at the helm.”

Councillor Douglas said she is encouraged by word that the alleged victim and her family are in touch with the Child Development Agency, (CDA) and relevant authorities.

The Councillor is renewing her call for the Education and Youth Minister to ensure that the Board of Hampton High, which serves at his pleasure, intervene should Murray "not do the right thing".

The Councillor for the Trafalgar Division said while she has made no conclusion regarding innocence or guilt in the instant case, she wishes to place on record her commitment to speak out in protection of the many little boys and girls who are forced to grapple with the trauma, stress, depression, and insecurity incurred by rape and other types of sexual abuse.