Commentary:
Certainly, this is an alleged charge. But so many of our women and children do not receive justice for crimes committed against them that run an array of reasons, which include, but are not limited to further intimidating the victims to the point of fear, thus refusing to come to court to the powerful links to people in authority sometimes enjoyed by the accused, it is shameful. Certainly, this NDC administration talks of making changes to the Criminal Justice procedures and intends to implement new ones that will hold criminals accountable, and not slip through the cracks. Other citizens of Grenada present their own suggestions for dealing with crimes and criminals. For example, retired High Court Judge, Justice Lyle St. Paul said that we must hold mothers accountable for their children who fall victim to sexual offenders; a statement I took issue with for many reasons. This case is a case, I believe, justifies my position on Justice Lyle St. Paul's statement. Here are some more relevant questions for Mr. St. Paul. Do you think we should charge, as you have suggested, “punish” the grandmother/guardian for this crime? Do you really think that her grandmother and maybe her mother are responsible for getting her rape? Indeed, within the content of your statement as presented by The New Today online news report, no mention was made of any specific crime you intended to charge or "punish" the mothers for. You are a smart man, sir; I am not going to insult your intelligence. However, I will point out one possible reason to take action against the parents, and or guardians. Was this 11-year-old-minor left alone in the house? If she was, then the parents/guardians’ action left her venerable to criminals. That is called child endangerment, and endangering the wellbeing of a child is a crime, isn’t it? I sure hope so.
All in all, I hope this case does not fall through the cracks of our criminal justice system as so many those. I hope justice will be served; in fact, one meaningful change I, and many others I am sure would like to see implemented in the justice system for these types of crimes is, instead of seeing Curtis Baptiste Vs. 11-year-old –minor and her family; it should be Curtis Baptiste vs. The Government of Grenada, period! ‘Nuff said!
If the mother went out to tend to sheep near the house I would not consider it child endangerment. However, there are some parents that do endanger there children; that should be charged. Also even if the child was not endangered; put was victimized by an child molester; the parent should be hold responsible, if the do not press charges on the child molester. It is still all the child molesters fault.
ReplyDeleteIt is not exactly clear, but I think your are saying mother should be held responsible. If yes, I am on your side. However, I disagree,leaving a minor alone at home is not something wise to do. It is endangering the wellbeing of the child because the child is left venerable, unprotected.
ReplyDeleteIt has been proven, when Pedophiles are sentenced in the USA and other continents, they are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. In fact, he or she is labeled for 7+ years within the province, in which, he or she lives in. It becomes difficult for them to be employed and become successfully re-integrated back into society, after serving his or her conviction; in other words, it is extremely difficult for him or her to become accepted back into their province; therefore, an expulsion from his record would be needed, in order to regain his credibility amongst others - something that is extremely difficult for one too attain.
ReplyDeleteAccording to a free encyclopedia’s source: The physical, sexual, emotional mistreatment, or neglect of children, as well as, any act or series of acts by a parent or other caregiver that results in harm, potential for harm, or threat of harm to a child, is also considered Child Abuse and/or Child Mistreatment or Neglect. Therefore, with reference to Zhiyah: “Are we implying the absence of a parent in a home is considered, “normal?” or should I refrain from asking and assume, if a child is 11 years old, it is age-appropriate to be left alone “in home?”. I strongly suggest that we all reflect on the definition of the word “minor” and the implications that are involved, if one does not accept responsibility for their actions - something as minute as, “She’ll be okay, I’ll be right back!” .
Even though I am trying my utmost best, to understand the relevance of each side, I intend to rebut by noting I understand you both; however, my intuitive thoughts are looking at this from a different perspective. Here it goes: We all know that we live in and are part of a third world country – The Caribbean Territory. Based on past experiences from living in Grenada, reading the newspapers, listening to the news via TV/ Radio/ Online Streaming and/or even observing real life stories about people who had been in the very situation like this little 11 year old from Victoria – breaks my heart, while I sit back and observe the way these Pedophiles escape, when they have committed such heinous crimes. Question: “Would you risk being caught, if you knew you had a 60% probability of not being caught?” – I may have! “Do you feel our law enforcement officials in Grenada, are adequately trained to handle such complex, yet sensitive cases?” – I don’t! “Do you think they are sociable enough, to intervene during interrogation, on behalf of the concerned citizens of Grenada – or do you think, they focus too much on their personable judgmental arguments, during the interrogation of this young child?” – I do! “Are there an increase in Child Molestation Cases in Grenada?” – It is true!
My last visit to Grenada was superb, up until I noticed a man who molested two little girls from my community and only served five years in the penitentiary, ridiculous! Unfortunately and coincidentally, he lived only a block away from their home. I was dumbfounded, as I sat and observed how relaxed he was at the “Rum Shop”, straight-up chillin’ – Joke is - I wanted to pour that drink I had bought him, way down his throat! (Preaching-No-Violence – smh).
I murmur softly, “Why is it so difficult to keep these “pigs” behind bars?” “Why is the law so lenient towards these monstrous crimes and perpetrators?” “Why is it so unproblematic for these hooligans, to re-integrate back into society, without paying an emotional debt to Grenadian Citizens?” Is it our “law” or the mindset of “our-own-people?”
I believe, officers should be specially trained and amplified within every unit, in every village. They should know how to assess these molested clients, create interventions to solve these cases and evaluate the outcome, thus, allowing recent and proven statistics, to depict a decrease in molested crimes. Then and only then would “Concerned and Worry-Some Grenadians” minds be at peace, about these sad situations!
Angry and Disappointed Citizen (Atun)
Anonymous your different point of view is totally valid. I will have to side with the answers you gave to your questions. Certainly no criminal is committing a crime so that he or she can get caught, the apposite is true. Our law enforcement officials do, I agree, more training to deal with crime such as these. Since this kind of crime, I will ague, was, to some extent, accepted as normal, a large number of men, bus drivers, teachers, even policemen, etc, do engaged in such crime, our law enforcement people must be given extensive training in dealing with these issues. In fact, most or all men in Grenada, from my memory, do ridicule and insult the victims. They will most certainly tease and treat them as if they were the criminals. In light of this, I agree that these law enforcement men, who themselves come form the community, will not suspended judgments, judging from the way things are today, but we have to initiate proper training to eliminate these setbacks if we want to move forward as a people protecting each other, and forward we must move.
ReplyDeleteI can certainly give many examples similar to your encounter. It is sad. Sad that these victims have to live next to the person that violate their human rights and nothing is being done. What is also sad is, we, the community, are allowing, in most cases, these horrible people to get away. We, the community, almost always know who the perpetrators are, but most often, refuse to give them up. As a result, these men lives and acts as if they have a license to commit crime. Indeed problem is manifold, complex; but we, all of us, can together solve it.