Moravian Pastor’s Case: Reid Urges Caution
By Alphea Saunders
Education Minister Senator Ruel Reid has called on Jamaicans to be cautious in their public utterances about the rape and carnal abuse case involving 64-year-old Moravian pastor Rupert Clarke and a 15-year-old St Elizabeth girl. Addressing a post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House yesterday, Reid said that the Government was urging all Jamaicans, especially those in the community where the minor lives “to treat the family with sensitivity and due regard to their well-being”. The minister pointed out that, according to a report from the Child Development Agency (CDA) on its investigations, the family has been ostracised by the community. “The CDA investigations also show that there is general indifference towards the victim and her family. The family claims they are being blamed for bringing the accused into disrepute… and disclose that they feel very uncomfortable in their home environment. They also spoke of numerous rumours that are circulating which have placed them in a negative light,” he stated. Reid said that a CDA safety evaluation has found that the 15-year-old and a younger sister are at a high risk of harm, especially emotional trauma, due to the sexual nature of the alleged abuse, and pointed out that this is aggravated by the fact that the incident continues to dominate the media and public discussion. He confirmed that both girls have been taken into State care. The education minister said that the Centre for the Investigation of Sexual Offences and Child Abuse had indicated its intention to slap additional charges on Clarke in relation to the younger sibling. He said the CDA has also disclosed that the 15-year-old has now confirmed police reports that on the night of December 28 last year she was discovered in a compromising position with the pastor in his vehicle in the community of Austin, St Elizabeth. The girl has been referred to the CDA’s clinical psychologist for assessment and counselling, while other members of the family have been referred to the CDA’s children and family support unit. Meanwhile, the education minister was cautious when asked whether the public calls for Hampton Principal Heather Murray to be fired would influence any decision to be taken by the ministry. “At the end of the day, all matters that are available publicly and privately will be brought to the table, and the outcome will be made known,” he said. Murray has been the subject of public outrage since last week for her appearance at Clarke’s arraignment in the St Elizabeth Parish Court. The principal, who tried to block television cameras outside the courthouse, has since issued a release in which she stated that she showed up to support her friend, the pastor’s wife. She has also apologised to the students of the all-girls school for what she said was her “breach of common sense”.
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