Rape is a crime of hate, of violence, of anger, of power and domination – a weapon used by some men to hurt violate and exploit women and children. As a nation we appear to be developing a culture of rape where some men feel they can force sex on children young girl and women when they have the opportunity to do so.
Our children have the right to be safe to walk the street and not be propositioned or forced into a car. Our women have the right to enter their homes and not have to be looking over the shoulder to make sure that no one is coming up behind her, the right to be at home and not worry about someone breaking in their homes and attacking them. Our children have the right to be at home, to sleep and to play without being sexually assaulted by a grown man just because mummy is out or is at work.
The statistics from the police reflect only part of the problem. Often women who are raped do not report their violation especially where they know that perpetrator. They fear of the second rape that can occur in the reporting and court processes that follow their report.
The statistics from the Police show consistently that more children under 16 are sexually assaulted than adult women. Between 2006 and 2010 Police reported the rape of 585 women 16 / 1,299 children under 16 were reported to having been sexually assaulted. An examination of the persons charged point to this same period to 243 men being charged with rape and 808 being charged with having being sexually assaulted children under 16 between 2006 to 2010.A check of the prison would reveal less than 100 convicted sex genders in prison. What does this say about our system? Perpetrators rape with impunity and non-consequences. Without consequences rape will continue.
Rape is an emotionally devastating experience for women and children shattering their sense of safety ability to trust, their confidence and self-esteem. Our women and children have the right to live lives free from rape and free from the fear of rape. The situation in our nation today calls for radical action.
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Email: bahamascrisiscentre@yahoo.com
Website: www.bahamascrisiscentre.org
