The Tribune

By DANA SMITH

Tribune Staff Reporter

dsmith@tribunemedia.net

FOLLOWING Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe’s revelation that the government was investigating reported incidents of prostitution involving young boys at Prince George dock, the government now says “there is no evidence” of child prostitution in the country.

Foreign Affairs and Immigration Minister Fred Mitchell and Attorney General Allyson Maynard-Gibson were speaking yesterday at the Ministry of National Security, where they criticised “blanket allegations” but called on persons who may have information regarding any alleged incidents to come forward.

The two ministers were at the Ministry to announce the Bahamas’ upgrade on the United States’ Trafficking In Persons (TIP) report to Tier 2 from last year’s Tier 2 Watch. National Security Minister Bernard Nottage and State Minister Keith Bell were also with them.

“There’s always, in a tourist country, there appears to be these blanket allegations being made about child prostitution,” Mr Mitchell said.

“When the Attorney General addressed the subject, she said there is no evidence of child prostitution in this country. There’s no evidence of it or sex tourism, as such. Now that doesn’t mean that you’re not sensitive to it, that you’re not watching out for it, but if there is no evidence of it.”

Adding to that, Mrs Maynard-Gibson explained law enforcement is “vigilant” especially considering the country’s status on the United States’ TIP report.

“We want to be very careful about – to use the minister’s word – a blanket being thrown out and being said that because you are a tourist destination, just like any other tourist destination, you have to have child prostitution,” she said.

“Our police are very vigilant and in particular, during this period about which the Minister of National Security spoke, we were especially being vigilant because we were trying to avoid being downgraded. Everybody was mobilized. We deal in evidence; there is no evidence.”

The attorney general called for anyone with “evidence” regarding this matter or any other criminal activity to come forward.

“Also important is, we have openly said, if you have evidence that it is happening, please let us know; and please also be aware – and this is very important – that our laws allow for witness anonymity,” she said.

“So any witness that might be afraid to give evidence, does not need to be afraid to give evidence. The law allows, in the appropriate circumstances, for there to be witness anonymity in relation to giving evidence to the police and through the whole process of presenting a VBI and so forth. And the law also allows for witness anonymity if the matter actually gets to trial. So, through the entire process, will law allow for anonymity.

“So please, if you’re aware of criminal matters going on – whether it is in this or any other area in our country – we are fighting hard to maintain law and order... The police act on information, please bring the information forward.”

It was in May that Mr Wilchcombe had said he’s hearing about “a lot of solicitation taking place” at Festival Place, which is located downtown, attached to Nassau’s cruise ship port.

“We’re hearing about a lot of drugs being sold and we’re hearing also a very troubling situation about prostitution involving boys,” he said.

“It’s something that has me troubled because that’s not what we’re supposed to be all about... I think it’s a lack of guidance here when you’re talking about boys or you’re talking about young people.”