NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Women’s groups yesterday expressed distress over recent reports of incidents of sexual abuse, calling for “unequivocal” condemnation for all sectors.
Zonta, CIWIL, Erin Brown Connects Disability Advocacy and Inclusion Management, and Women United issued a joint press statement.
“It is once again deeply distressing to learn of the ongoing onslaught of sexual offences even against blood relatives who are children. There must be unequivocal condemnation of these acts. There can be no half-stepping or parsing of words this time,” the statement read.
“Larger questions must be raised by the community amongst men in every class of society. Why is this behavior acceptable? What personal action is being taken to speak out against these heinous acts and to stop them from re-occurring?
The groups commended the Royal Bahamas Police Force, the Director of Public Prosecutions, and his team, for conducting investigations “without regard or favour to the employment or status of accused persons.”
It continued: “The public is also appreciative of the role that the magistrates and judges are playing in ensuring that, upon conviction, sentences that befit these kinds of savage crimes are meted out to criminals.
“We also praise and commend the resolve of the brave victims and their family members who came forward to ensure that these sex predators and offenders are prosecuted and not cloaked and protected.
The statement added: “These acts are evil and they are the highest betrayal of the most sacred duty. Lest we have forgotten and from no lesser authority than our lord: “It would be better if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea than he should offend one of these little ones. Luke 17:2”
