The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

STATE Minister of National Security Keith Bell yesterday said investigations into recent rapes reveal there is “a very strong possibility” that repeat sexual offenders are to blame for the spate of rapes in New Providence.

Mr Bell said the government is “seeking to very quickly” introduce regulations to establish a sex offenders registry in response to the attacks.

The senator also wants to amend the law to send repeat sexual offenders to prison for the remainder of their natural lives after they are convicted.

In the meantime, to curb the occurrence of sexual assaults throughout the capital, Mr Bell said police were conducting “very aggressive” stop and search operations.

“Let me say that it has always been a challenge, particularly as it relates to sex offenders,” Mr Bell said.

“(Police) are looking in certain areas and at certain prolific offenders. The deeper part of the problem that we are seeking to address as a ministry is the establishment of a sex register.

“I can say that the minister (Dr Bernard Nottage) is heading the team and we are seeking to very quickly introduce regulations to ensure that persons who pose a serious threat to our country, that they go on the register. To some extent persons might know who they are. We (want to) do everything that we possibly can to protect society from these persons.

“My position would be that we need to look at amending (the) law which means that if we have prolific sexual offenders (and) serial rapists that we introduce some sort of a law where they are arrested for the rest of their natural life if they continue to rape as they do.”

Mr Bell also encouraged women to remain alert to their surroundings no matter the place or time.

Nearly two weeks ago, Superintendent Paul Rolle said police were very concerned about a spike in reported sexual assaults. At the time, he said, police suspected that different people were committing the rapes.

His comments came after four women were raped over a three week period, two women while walking and two while driving in their vehicles.

A week after Mr Rolle’s warning, a woman was sexually assaulted when a man forced his way into her home. She was at her residence on Gibbs Corner when the man gained entry around 1am and sexually assaulted her before fleeing on foot.

The next day, another woman was raped by a man she knows who entered her home at Hay Street.

Mr Bell spoke to reporters at the Mall at Marathon during the opening of the Royal Bahamas Police Force’s exhibition to celebrate the launch of 10 marches created by Bahamians in the armed forces. Marches are musical compilations created to keep officers in step and to maintain order.