BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – SOME residents of Sandy Point are claiming that in recent months rape and attempted rape incidents have been prevalent in that town.
Speaking with SKNVibes under the condition of anonymity, a mother (LG) of five said that not only is she thinking about the safety of herself, but also her three teenage daughters, two of whom would often return home after 10 o’clock at nights from group studies.
The woman claimed that she knew of nine incidents that occurred between August and September of this year. “Six females were raped in August and two of them in this month, but the perpetrator was unsuccessful in his attempt to rape the third one.”
This media house recently visited the township with the aim of ascertaining the woman’s allegations and found that while some people knew of these incidents, the majority of those spoken to were unaware.
When contacted, Police Press and Public Relations Officer, Inspector Lyndon David informed that only two such cases were reported at the Sandy Point Police Station and investigations into the matters are ongoing.
SKNVibes however learnt that one individual was apprehended and had been assisting police with their investigations, but it is unclear if he is still in custody.
According to Police Commissioner Celvin ‘CG’ Walwyn, when incidents of rape and attempted rape occur, the victims should report it without delay to the police so that action could be taken immediately.
Walwyn advises that no one should be afraid to report a crime; be it rape, murder or any offence that constitutes a crime. He said that if one witnesses a crime and finds it inconvenient to report the incident at a police station, one could get in touch with the Violent Crime Unit (VCU) at 465-2241 ext. 230 or Crime Stoppers at 1800-8477 (TIPS).
He specifically stated that witnesses to specific crimes who are afraid to be present in court to give evidence should no longer feel that way, because a very effective witness protection programme is in place.
The Commissioner explained that witnesses could be flown to a number of safe houses outside of the Federation and give evidence in court using the Video Conferencing (VCF) method.
He also explained that with the advancement in technology, VCF allows for great visual and audial clarity without disclosure of witnesses’ location, and that it is a very safe means of giving evidence while not present in court.
LG is one of many women who think about the safety of themselves and loved ones; therefore, it is advisable that every female should think as she does. Should one be raped or an attempt was made to do so, it is advisable that the matter should be reported immediately to the police with a detailed description of the perpetrator.
It is a known fact that many victims prefer to remain mum when raped because of stigma. But, for example, if a number of women in a community within which you live were raped over a given period and the incidents were neither reported nor made known to you, you may be the next victim because the perpetrator(s) will have no fear of being caught.
But, should the police made aware of such happenings, they could increase patrols in that area or they may issue a wanted bulletin for the perpetrator(s), which, in turn, make will make you wary of the situation.
Rape, one of the most unreported and devastating crimes, is the unlawful compelling of a person through physical force or duress to have sexual intercourse.
Sometimes women are badly beaten when this crime is being committed; some become pregnant; and some contract diseases including HIV, gonorrhea and genital warts.
The lives of some rape victims are forever changed and, in addition to physical trauma, they can also be affected emotionally and psychologically.
Some common emotional and psychological effects include:
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) – feelings of severe anxiety and stress;
• Depression;
• Flashbacks – memories of rape as if it is taking place again;
• Borderline personality disorder;
• Sleep disorders;
• Eating disorders;
• Dissociative identity disorder;
• Guilt;
• Distrust of others – uneasy in everyday social situations;
• Anger; and
• Feelings of personal powerlessness – victims feel the rapist robbed them of control over their bodies.
If you are a victim of this rapist in Sandy Point, do not be afraid to report the matter to the police. Try your utmost to give them a detailed description of him and seek medical attention as well as counselling. Remember, by making a timely report you will not only be protecting other women within your town, but also those who are close and dear to you.
