The court system is one of the biggest obstacles in the fight against rape and needs major change before it will be helpful to victims, according to Dr. Sandra Dean Patterson, co-ordinator at the Ministry of Health and Social Services.
Dr. Patterson commended police for their dramatic improvement in arrests during recent years, but said that “where we fall down is in the courts”.
Dr. Patterson said the country needs a seperate court for sexual offences. People can wait four or five years before their case ends up before the Supreme Court, she said. Dr. Patterson said the voluntary bill of indictment should be used in all sexual offence cases so that victims do not have to go through two trials.
She also said for many sexually assualted women the court process is like a “second rape”.
An impact statement from the victim should be incorporated into the trial that includes effects to the victim and their family so that when punishment is decided their feelings will be taken into consideration.
Minister of Social Services and Community development Melanie Griffin, said her ministry must “ensure the justice system responds speedily and efficiently to bring closure in the shortest possible time so that victims can seek to rebuild their lives.”
The Minister said if the public allows a small group of deviant individuals to make them fearful, to make them not want to leave their homes or to do the things they should do, we are giving them what they want. Ms. Griffen said Bahamians must not allow offenders to force them to be fearful or ashamed. Patterson said fear is exactly what attackers want.
Ms. Griffin appealed to the general public, particularly to women and parents, not to protect offenders.
“Do not cloak your sons, your brothers, your husbands or your boyfriends in wrongdoing. If you truly love them you would want to help them become responsible, law abiding persons.
“Beware that none of us – including you – are safe as long as there are persons in our midst who engage in criminal activity. We are all potential victims.”
Dr. Patterson sadi she does not think that there have been more rapes recently but that more cases are being reported.
By Dominic Duncombe, The Tribune
