UPDATED: Police and pastors most prevalent high-profile sexual predators — CISOCA

Head of the Centre for Investigation of Sexual Offences and Child Abuse (CISOCA), Superintendent Enid Ross-Stewart, says the majority of alleged high-profile perpetrators of sexual offences against underage persons are pastors and policemen.

She made the revelation this afternoon while making a presentation to a parliamentary committee that's reviewing Jamaica's sex laws.

Ross-Stewart did not provide data on the number of policemen and pastors who've been accused or later found guilty of carnal abuse in recent years.

Her disclosure comes as public spotlight remains on the church community following the recent arrest and charge of three pastors from the Moravian Church in Jamaica for alleged sex offences.

Meanwhile, the CISOCA head said for last year, her office received 1,094 reports of alleged sexual intercourse involving underage persons.

Of that number, 664 reports came from Kingston.

However, Ross Stewart lamented that the conviction rate is among the lowest compared with other categories of sex offences.

She also said there is a lack of supporting mechanisms and coordination between government agencies to respond to the situation.

Underreporting and family members being complicit in the abuses were also noted as hindrances.

Note: Earlier, this story stated that pastors and policemen were the most prevalent sex offenders but did not make it clear they were the most prevalent high-profile offenders.