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Shortly after taking his post in September 2004, John Rood,
Ambassador to the Bahamas, was shocked to learn of the number of
unsolved rapes reported by tourists in the Bahamas. Bahamian
police say they’ve received reports of 55 sexual assaults of
foreigners over the past three years, 25 of whom are American
tourists. Of the 55 cases, nine reports were withdrawn by the
victim, 21 cases went to court and 23 cases were under
investigation. The outcome of the court cases is unknown.
Rood wanted to get to the bottom of what he called “horrific
situations” and so he decided to make sexual assault one of his
administration’s priorities.
Rood requested that the Royal Bahamas Police force notify him of
every reported incident – just as he is already alerted about
American perpetrators of crimes. He also meets monthly with police
authorities to receive updates on investigations.
Rood describes the Bahamian authorities as polite and helpful, but
is frustrated that they are not forthcoming with more detailed
information. For instance, Rood learned from news reports that the
suspect in a recent double murder was out on bail pending trial in
the charge of rape of an American tourist in 2002. But because the
court records are sealed until a defendant is convicted,
authorities will not reveal to Rood the name of the American
victim.
Bahamian authorities lack their own DNA resources, relying on
Florida’s Broward County Crime Lab to process DNA requests.
Detectives on the local police force are reportedly receiving DNA
evidence training from the FBI agent stationed in Nassau.
When charges are brought against the perpetrator, the case often
does not reach a conclusion because it’s difficult for victims to
travel back to the country to testify. Defense attorneys often use
multiple continuances as a tactic to avoid prosecution of their
client, knowing of the financial hardship on the victim to return
to the country. Trying to “wear down” a victim this way is not a
new tactic for defense attorneys, but it is one that is even more
pronounced for victims of crime abroad.
Kim Sweeney who was raped while visiting the Dominican Republic
was asked to travel back to the country five times to testify over
a five-year period. She had already borrowed to cover the costs of
the first four trips and had doubts about continuing to go further
into debt, especially not knowing if there would be even more
continuances.
Sweeney was fortunate to enlist the help of the “It Happened to
Alexa Foundation”, which provided financial assistance for her and
her Mother to travel back to the Dominican Republic to testify.
The final trip resulted in three judges confirming the April 2001
conviction and upholding the initial sentence of ten years in
prison. In a
testimonial Sweeney told the foundation, “The ruling not
only protects other women from this criminal, but also
demonstrates to other men that rape is a crime that will be
prosecuted.”
Sources:
“In the Bahamas, rapes often go unnoticed,” St. Petersburg
Times, October 10, 2005.
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