NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Women United, a coalition of women affiliated with civil, private and political sectors of the society, is calling for the judicial system to enforce mandatory imprisonment for sexual offences in the country.
In a statement issued yesterday, the group threatened to “take to the streets in peaceful protest” if their demands are not met.
The group highlighted a recent court case where a man, Dennis Clarke, was found guilty of the indecent assault of a 14-year-old girl and fined $200 or one month in prison, slamming the sentence as a “slap on the wrist”, particularly as the perpetrator should be liable to a term of imprisonment of three years under Section 5D of the Sexual Offences Act.
“As a lady by the name of Jemma Hepburn wrote in a public post on this story on Facebook: ‘Only in The Bahamas you could get fined more for selling coconuts during a pandemic than molesting a young girl,’” the statement read.
“Her observation puts the whole thing in its sickening context. Every citizen and resident of The Bahamas should be outraged.
“The token $200 fine does not serve as a deterrent. Indeed, the very light sentence only serves to set our children up as prey, as molesters face little to no consequences for their actions when they are convicted of indecently assaulting a minor.
“We recognize and applaud the bravery of this young girl. She made the report and followed through with the matter all the way to a conviction. We commend the police officers for bringing the charge and the prosecution for securing the conviction.
“That minor girl did the right and courageous thing, and the police and the prosecution properly and successfully discharged their duties, but the system failed all of them — especially the young girl.”
The group is demanding the director of public prosecutions to “immediately appeal this matter and to seek a term of three years’ imprisonment” for Clarke; as well as “all of those charged with the administration of justice — the chief magistrate, the chief justice and all judicial officers — to sentence persons to terms of imprisonment where they are convicted of sexual or domestic violence offences”.
“Since the pandemic, crimes against women and children have increased, and a significant number of women have been murdered in domestic situations,” Women United stated.
“We will not see the diminishment of these crimes until our judiciary signals that crimes of these natures will be dealt with expeditiously and in the firmest terms. For example, where an adult is convicted of any sexual offence involving a minor, it should be standard that a term of imprisonment will be mandatory.
“We cry out that ‘enough is enough’ and we, the members of Women United, demand action… We are women who have come together to voice that enough is enough, and to call for action in all matters related to women and children.
“Women United is prepared to take to the streets in peaceful protest if necessary, until this matter is appealed and Dennis Clarke is behind bars.”
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