Abstract: To explore the impact of COVID-19 on major crimes, including sexual offences and crimes against minors under 18 years old in Jamaica, by comparing the number of cases reported by the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) in the year 2020, with those reported six years prior to the pandemic (2014-2019).
Methods: Monthly cumulated data on major crimes, sexual offences and crimes against minors for the period January 1, 2014 -December 30, 2020, was obtained from the JCF. The five-year period (2014-2018) was used to calculate a monthly and annual threshold for each crime type using monthly/annual means and 95% confidence intervals. Differences in the number of crimes reported during 2020 were determined by comparison with the historically set monthly and annual thresholds for each crime type as well as with those reported in the previous year, 2019. The offences are represented as the number of cases reported per 100,000 population.
Findings: Compared with the historical threshold, there were significant reductions in homicides, rapes, indecent assaults and sex against minors; however, there was no decline in the reports of grievous sexual assault. Compared with 2019, there were significant declines in rape, indecent assault and crimes against minors but no significant decline in homicides.
Conclusion: This exploratory study provided an initial assessment of the impact of COVID-19 on crime during the first year of the pandemic in Jamaica. These findings, provide the basis for an in-depth analysis into the impact of COVID-19 on crime especially, gender-based violence and crimes against minors. Also, they highlighted many issues such as crime against women and minors under 16 years.
Keywords: COVID-19, Major Crimes, Sexual Offences, and Crimes against minors.
Title: Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic Restrictions on Major Crimes and Sexual Offences in Jamaica: A comparative analysis of crimes reported by the Jamaica Constabulary Force (2014-2020)
Author: Dr. Tazhmoye V. Crawford, Mr. Kimalie F. Parchment, Sgt. Sylven Robinson
International Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research
ISSN 2348-3156 (Print), ISSN 2348-3164 (online)
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