EDITOR, The Tribune.

Once again, I find it necessary to ask for space in your daily to voice a nagging concern. I read in the news a few days ago that crime is down, but rape is UP. That headline stood out and peaked a lot of interest and left unanswered questions for me.

Rape is up and what are we, as a nation, doing to eradicate this heinous crime? Why is the silence so deafening? Over the past two months, we have heard of several acts of rape and sex crimes committed, including that of a woman against a teen boy.

Today the news of a teen boy raping an 83-year-old woman was shared on the crime news. It is despicable and we are not standing together to push and enforce stricter laws for acts of violence against women and children. We have so many activists that are agitating for various causes, but the safety and well-being of people should never play second fiddle.

A new budget is being debated and still not enough being allocated for safe-houses or facilities to protect women and children in crisis. Still not enough being allocated for the education of young men and women to deal with conflict resolution and not enough allocated for the rehabilitation of offenders. Priorities must shift if we are to move forward. We must stand up to our lawmakers and cry shame on wasted travel funds. Wasted entertainment funds. We must speak up for funds and provisions to be properly allocated for Social Services and shelters and we must follow through until it happens.

We call ourselves a tourist destination, but what happens if we become blacklisted as a crime-ridden destination and tourist no longer feel safe to visit? What happens if our little country is called lawless?

It is good when we hear that the perpetrators are arrested and charged within days of committing such acts, but what message do we send when a Member of Parliament can continue to evade being charged because all “I’s” must be dotted and all “T’s” must be crossed. Is the process longer because of status or the other alleged offenders have a different process.

Certainly they must think that if he can do it and get away with it, then why can’t they. Where are the voices of women, organisations and the church? Does it have to touch home before it is addressed? What information is so difficult to gather that this man cannot and has not been charged after all this time? The alleged victim has indicated emotional distress as well as the physical abuse afflicted. All victims are often left damaged in some way. Can you imagine the psychological trauma that 83-year-old is going through right now? Can you imagine the emotional damage suffered by that 13-year-old boy? Rape is up and that is only the ones that are reported.

We live in a society where it is not always good or safe to speak up. This must stop. Every police station should have officers who are trained to handle domestic violence and sex crimes and these officers should be “on call” when not “on shift” to handle cases 24-7. We should have the comfort of safety when seeking help at the Police Stations. For the most part, officers are empathetic but there is room for improvement. Female officers should be trained to deal with rape victims and such victims should and must not be subjected to harsh and crude treatment or questions from male officers. We must take this seriously.

Rape and sex crimes against women, girls and boys should not be subject to bail and should carry stiffer penalties. No one should be above the law and once a complaint is made, the alleged offender, once known, should be questioned. If the alleged offender is unidentified, and a search is launched, then and only then, should it take weeks or months to charge someone.

Rape is up should not be a headline. No crime should be condoned but crime against women and children should be a priority, and sex-offenders should be known, especially the repeat offenders. We must stop talking about the rights of convicted offenders and protect the rights of the innocent victims that fall prey to these monsters. A Sex-Offenders Registry should be in place for public access regardless of who is on the list. Victims Rights should be protected and information that may prevent incidents should be readily available. As we travel this road to 50, let us be pro-active with legislation, laws, policies, amendments, etc. to allow the sustainability of peaceful shores that we can be proud to call home. A land where we can freely roam without fear of lawlessness and crime. A land that will truly be the gem of the region. I call on all women … let us fight for our rights. Let us fight to protect our children and those yet unborn. We can do it … we must do it.

Vanessa A Scott, JP

Nassau,

June 20, 2023