Raise Your Voice Saint Lucia said it is appalled and horrified at the surge of violent sexual crimes against women and girls, perpetrated by what they described as “aggressive and sadistic males.”
“We condemn in the strongest of terms, the rape of our sisters, who were violated in the sanctity of their homes,” referring to the two young females who were gang-raped in Rodney Bay on Monday.
The organisation said in a statement issued today, “We call the entire society to be intolerant of all forms of sexual violation, whether in the home, the workplace, or in the public.”
Raise Your Voice is also calling on the government to put the safety of women at the very top of their priority list and to ensure that more resources are made available to agencies to fight this issue.
“Recent incidents are an indication that there is no fear in the minds of those who forcefully invade the homes of and violate women in general; that they will be caught and prosecuted,” the organisation noted.
It also believes that violators are aware of the weaknesses in the justice system including the police’s alleged in-ability to investigate and solve sex crimes, due to the lack of resources available to them.
It was further stated that too many cases have gone unreported because victims lack confidence in the justice system, while too many cases are waiting to be processed, and many more are left unsolved.
“Raise Your Voice calls on all “men” to stand up in unity and raise their voices and condemn the actions of those who are committing those heinous crimes against women and girls,” it added.
The organisation is planning a march for November 25 starting at 2:00 p.m. to call on policy makers to provide the necessary training, equipment, personnel and facilities to achieve a reduction of sex crimes.
The march will coincide with observances for International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.
Details of the march will be announced at a later date.
(3)
(0)