Police have dismissed widespread reports that an elderly woman, who was hospitalised on Thursday, May 15, was sexually assaulted, but the lawmen have failed to say what injuries – if any – that the woman sustained despite stating that she “appeared to be in severe pain” in hospital and the matter is under investigation.
News that an elderly woman, between 50 and 60 years old, was allegedly raped and had a stick inserted in her vagina Thursday morning, and left between booths 10 and 11 in a pool of blood on St. Louis Street, Castries, evoked shock and disgust from the public.
Multiple media houses including DBS, HTS, and Saint Lucia News Online quoted emergency, police and civilian sources confirming the brutal rape/sexual assault.
However, in a press release distributed today – 24 hours long after the incident – the Police Information Office sought to clarify the issue in a vaguely-written statement.
The release has not clarified the following: injuries of the alleged victim (if any), the reason/s why the woman was stated to be in “severe pain”, nor why the matter is still being investigated if officers are “yet” to identify an offense of sexual assault.”
The report read: “About 1 p.m. on Thursday, May 15, 2014, officers attached to the Vulnerable Person’s Unit were in receipt of a request from medical personnel at Victoria Hospital to witness the examination of a 61-year-old female.
“The officers proceeded to Victoria Hospital where they were introduced to this individual. At the time, she appeared to be in severe pain. She gave the officers certain information before the medical examination commenced. Based on discussions with the victim and medical personnel, the officers are yet to identify an offense of a sexual assault. The matter is still the subject of investigation. The female is currently admitted in a stable condition at Victoria Hospital.
“Members of the public and media are asked to be mindful when disseminating information. It was reported in the media that an elderly female was allegedly brutally raped before verifying whether or not the police was investigating such report. As it stands, the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force deals primarily with facts and not on the basis of speculation.”
Since the incident, residents of the old CDC apartments have been calling for increased security patrols in the area.
Meanwhile, members of the media are particularly anxious to know what police are investigating if there was no evidence “YET” of sexual assault and the reasons behind the hospitalisation of the woman.