Sexual assault in Bahamas 'has reached unacceptable heights'

By ALESHA CADET:


WHILE the number of reported rape cases in the Bahamas is increasing, convictions of sexual offenders are not, according to the Bahamas Crisis Centre.

Dr Sandra Dean Patterson, director of the Centre, told The Tribune that sexual assault in the Bahamas has reached "unacceptable heights."

"Rape has almost become endemic in our society," she said.

Donna Nicolls, a counsellor at the Centre added: "There is certainly an increase in the number reported because of the advocacy and the laws. There are also cases that came to our attention that are not being reported - that goes without saying."

"We see a lot of the results now of the rapes and molestation that have never been documented because of fear.

"What is not happening is convictions. I personally get excited when I see convictions.

"But the women are choosing to not go through the legal process, the process is demeaning," Mrs Nicolls said.

According to Dr Patterson, the system for dealing with sex crimes has to be improved. Victims currently wait up to eight years to get justice, she pointed out.

"We have to do more to address it. It is very important that people be charged."

Head of the Central Detective Unit (CDU) Asst Supt Leon Bethel told The Tribune that sexual offences are difficult to police and investigate.

"As long as the matter comes to us we investigate it and send them to court, (but) is hard to police sexual intercourse, it normally happens behind closed doors," he said. "It is a manifestation to what is going on in the society."

According to Assistant Superintendent Moxey, head of the CDU's Technology Management Section: "The basic approach we have is an educational awareness programme.

"In addition we are trying to put the persons before the court. The penalties are stiff, the laws are adequate," he said.

ASP Moxey told The Tribune one of the biggest areas of concern in recent years has been sex crimes committed by minors, but the police's efforts to speak with and educate students seem to be having a positive impact.

"We cannot eradicate it totally, but we can have the problem reduced to a minimum through educational changes," he said.

March 31, 2010

tribune242

Bahamas Blog International

The Bahamas: State Minister for Social Services Loretta Butler-Turner laments opposition to proposed marital rape law by those it would assist

By Keva Lightbourne ~ Guardian Senior Reporter ~ kdl@nasguard.com:

State Minister for Social Services Loretta Butler-Turner said yesterday that unfortunately some of the people the proposed marital rape law was designed to assist were among those individuals who spoke out against it.

"It really was an opportunity for the women of The Bahamas and the people of The Bahamas to support something very progressive to bring further empowerment to our people," the minister told The Nassau Guardian.

"Unfortunately it appears that the people it was going to help the most were equally as vocal against it, and those persons do not wish to see progress," Minister Butler-Turner said.

Her statement came hours before the House of Assembly was prorogued, wiping clean its legislative agenda.  Up to press time yesterday Minister Butler-Turner had no idea whether the proposed amendment to the Sexual Offences Act, which would have outlawed marital rape in the country, would be re-introduced to Parliament during the next session.

"It has to definitely be determined by the Government of The Bahamas. That has to be a Cabinet decision.  From a personal stand point it is something that I would like to certainly see become law," said Minister Butler-Turner.

Furthermore, she had no idea whether the bill would be placed on the table again for further discussion.

But Butler-Turner said she would continue to push for the bill to become law.

"One of the challenges that I try to overcome each day is certainly bringing greater empowerment to not just women but ensuring people everywhere are on an equal footing.  As I sit as vice-president of the American Commission on Women it is imperative that I continue to fight for equality for all persons.  So yeah, it is something that I will continue to agitate for," the minister said.

She added that she was encouraged by those who came out in support of the legislation, especially the churches.

I was extremely encouraged by groupings of men, groupings of women but in the end analysis I cannot say that I was ecstatic over the reception we received in certain quarters.

"But there were very, very encouraging signs from important sectors of our society, but even that does not militate against the fact that I do not think we had a unanimously overwhelming clear consensus on the matter," she explained.

The amendment would mean that a spouse could be sentenced to up to life in prison for the rape of a spouse, even on a first offense, as is the case for others convicted of rape.  The current Bahamian law permitting forms of marital rape stands in opposition to the United Nations Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The U.N. has advised that The Bahamas should eliminate the prohibition against spousal rape.

In an earlier interview with The Nassau Guardian, Director of The Crisis Centre Dr. Sandra Dean-Patterson appealed to the government not to let this amendment die.

She said it would be disappointing if the proposed ban is not re-introduced after Parliament is prorogued.

"I would say that the violence in our country must be of such concern and worry to all of us.  It is a threat to The Bahamas with this senseless killing that is taking place of men in particular, and in the new year we have to come together as political parties, individuals, civic organizations, trade unions [and] churches to confront violence in all of its manifestations," Dean-Patterson said.

March 24, 2010

thenassauguardian