Bahamian Politics
Komolafe: The DNA denounces the alleged sexual assault during Easter weekend
Apr 18, 2017 - 5:38:26 PM

The female candidates of the Democratic National Alliance (DNA), our male counterparts and our tiers of leadership condemn what appears to be a videotaped alleged sexual assault of a female which was circulated via social media platforms during the Easter weekend, whereupon we commemorated the death and resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. We call for immediate action against the perpetrators and accomplices of this malicious attack and reaffirm the DNA’s commitment to denouncing gender based violence and all forms of violence against women and girls.

It is imperative that we reiterate the fact that violence against women is not a women’s issue, but a human rights issue. We in the DNA align ourselves to the fundamental principles and goals set forth by the United Nations (UN) and in particular UN Women to ensure that women and girls everywhere can live in safety, peace and dignity in their communities.

The actions reported in today’s paper and described in the purported video that has been circulated via social media platforms are both disturbing and unacceptable and is contrary to our social, moral and spiritual foundation as a people and nation committed to living together in love, unity and service to each other. We call for swift and immediate justice on behalf of the victim and her family and call upon members of the government and civic society to render their knowledge and professional expertise to assist with the resolution of this matter.

Further, in this age of technology and the growing incidence of cyber-crimes, we urge all Bahamians to discourage the practise of circulating obscene content or sexual assaults on women, men or children via social media with a view to respecting the dignity and privacy of victims and their family members. The negative effects of rape are numerous and can result in emotional, psychological, and physical trauma with other damaging effects including victim shaming, bullying, the transfer of sexually transmitted diseases and unplanned pregnancies. Consequently, we submit that the perpetration of the alleged sexual assault coupled with the creation and circulation of the video is both insensitive and irresponsible.

We encourage all members of Bahamian society, parents, religious, government and civic leaders to reinforce by way of education to our children and especially our boys the dangers of perpetuating gender based violence and to discourage and discontinue the practise of violence against girls and women. Our efforts to prevent and bring an end to this malaise within our society can only be achieved through partnership of both men and women in all spheres of Bahamian society.

DNA Female Candidates

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