Sexual-related crime cases increasing

The island has recorded its highest number of Sexual-related crime cases since 2013, within the first four months of this year over several categories.

Sexual-related crimes include: Rape, Assault with Intent to Rape, Sex with a Minor, Indecent Assault, Serious Indecency and other Sex Crimes.

Giving a breakdown of the figures, the Royal Barbados Police Force’s Acting Assistant Commissioner William Yearwood said that up until April, 32 rape cases had been realised, when for the same period last year, only 18 had been recorded.

“The records also show ‘Sex with a Minor’ as the next highest record since 2013. This year, there are 15 cases recorded compared to 16 cases in 2013 and that figure indicates an increase by one case over the same period last year when 14 were recorded,” he stated.

However, in terms of Indecent Assault, the first four months of 2017 saw only eight cases being recorded, a significant drop over that of last year at 21, while in 2013 the numbers stood at 24. Meanwhile, Serious Indecency was recorded at seven, while in 2016 the figure stood at eight.

Stressing that the force was concerned about the number of sexual-related crimes committed from year to year, he pointed out that a total of 194 such cases were recorded in 2015, while in 2016 the figure fell to 182.

Addressing the closing ceremony of a three-week “Sexual Offences Investigation” Course held at the Regional Police Training Centre yesterday, Yearwood urged for stricter supervision of minors and early teenagers, especially girls in the home, school and wider society, while pointing fingers to the bashment culture permeating society.

“Bashment is now being seen in the many fights including females, especially school girls who group to beat other girls. School girls are also opening themselves up to be bashed sexually, not only by peers but by older men. Some play truant and
instead of going to school are lured into nearby homes or secluded areas, by male friends they have met on social media or otherwise and easily engage in sexual acts.

My observation of cases indicates that young girls/minors have often taken the lead in acts of a sexual nature,” he added. (JMB)