Special attention needs to be paid to the details in cases of rape.

Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves made the comment in relation to a recent rumour that a 9-year-old girl had given birth here in St Vincent.{{more}}

He was at the time responding to a question put forward by Opposition Senator Vynnette Frederick, who asked him to give the number of women and girls who have been victims of sexual violence, including rape and murder over the last five years.

“We have to address it (incest) in a focused way, but we have to be careful that we don’t go off and say something that exists when it didn’t happen,” the prime minister cautioned.

When this happens, it tends to detract from the case when and if it does take place, Gonsalves explained.

In responding to the question directly, the prime minister noted that the data for 2011 revealed that there were four women who were the victims of murder, including one girl.

Of the four murders committed, four arrests had been made and the alleged perpetrators charged with the offence.

In the same year, 56 cases of rape were reported, with 37 persons being arrested and charged.

The Prime Minister, however, noted that the information provided did not say what was the outcome of the cases where persons had been charged.

He, however, said that he regards the issue of the high number of crimes being committed against women as a serious one which needs to be addressed in a focused manner.(DD)