St. Lucia Prime Minister Expresses Outrage At Spate Of Rapes On The Island

CASTRIES, St. Lucia, Mar. 28, (CMC) – Prime Minister, Dr. Kenny Anthony, says, St. Lucia will have to look at “other solutions” to the spate of rapes on the island in recent months, acknowledging that “it is clear that strong laws with stiff penalties are not enough”.

In recent days police have confirmed that there has been an increase in women being raped, with a woman, in her 20’s, being sexually assaulted in front of her one-year-old child.

In a statement, posted on his Facebook page, Prime Minister Anthony said, that like many St. Lucians, especially women, “I feel a deep sense of outrage, revulsion and anger about the recent spate of rapes in our country.”

He described rape as “a brutal act of violence”, telling the victims, he wished he could “find the right words to comfort” them, as well as their families and friends.

“It is true that there have been many incidents of rape in the past, many of which have never been reported, but why is it that some men have suddenly felt emboldened to commit these crimes in recent times?” asked the Prime Minister.

“We need to look, seriously, at the suggestion that a ‘Sex Offenders’ List’ be created. In that regard, we must look at the experience of other countries that have moved in that direction,” he added.

Anthony said, there is also a need to “review how rapes are evidenced in court,” noting, “it is not right that a victim of rape has to undergo such trauma in giving evidence before a judge and jury.

“Giving evidence is a dehumanizing and traumatic experience. Should rape cases be heard before a jury?” he asked.

He said, men must be made to understand, that “no means no”; “silence also means no”.

“For my part, I will ensure that the Police Force implements my suggestion, that a dedicated unit be established within the Police Force, to investigate rapes and bring to justice those responsible for these heinous acts.”

He added, while there may be other suggestions from the public, “including the need for self-defence classes; others want to legalize the use of pepper spray”.

He noted, the issue should be tackled as a non-partisan issue saying, “this is not a ‘red’ or ‘yellow’ issue”, with reference to the two main political parties here, whose colours are red and yellow.

“It touches all of us, and so we must express our collective outrage in one voice,” he concluded.