Petty: I’ll sacrifice my career to pass marital rape bill

As of Wednesday, April 12, 2023

Water and Sewerage Corporation Chairman Sylvannus Petty said he would risk his political career to pass the marital rape bill.

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS

Tribune Staff Reporter

lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

WATER and Sewerage Corporation Chairman Sylvannus Petty said he would risk his political career to criminalise marital rape.

He spoke to reporters at the House of Assembly after Chinese officials donated TV sets to the government.

“Being married doesn’t give you the right to say, ‘okay I can abuse my partner’,” Mr Petty said. “The laws of the land stand that rape is rape.

“Like I said it’s not only for women but it’s for men as well. I have sisters, I have aunts, I have nieces, so, you have to look out for them as well. So, marital rape … rape is rape whether you are married or not, and no means no.”

The Bahamas is one of the few countries where it is legal to rape one’s spouse. The issue has been contentious for years, with activists urging successive administrations to criminalise the act.

Asked if he would risk his political career to pass a bill criminalising marital rape, Mr Petty said: “Oh, definitely. Definitely!”

“This is my opinion. I strongly believe in rape. I mean, no means no whether it be a man or a woman. I don’t think because you’re married you should force yourself on anyone, that’s just where I stand no matter who is against it. That’s where I stand.”

The Davis administration released the proposed Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill last year that would criminalise marital rape.

The amendment would repeal Section 3 of the current law, which defines rape. The new definition would recognise rape within a marriage.

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Sickened 1 year, 7 months ago

Finally someone in Gov't with a stance on making improvements to one of our antiquated laws.

birdiestrachan 1 year, 7 months ago

And that you will sir that you will because there are more people against marital rape law than are for the law , it makes no sense if two people are living in a home sleep in the same bed ,before a marriage comes to that there should be a seperation and a divorce it is a trap straight from hell,

bahamianson 1 year, 7 months ago

Go ahead, put your money where your mouth is.

moncurcool 1 year, 7 months ago

Agree.

What I am wondering though is what career is he talking about? Who is this dude? What has he done? Honestly, never even heard of him or anything of significance that he is doing.

benniesun 1 year, 7 months ago

Years ago when our government accepted donated computers for the treasury I cringed in fear and shame. Yet, to this day, they are still accepting electronics from advanced nations. One definition of not learning fom experience is "stupid" - ie unintelligent (not knowing; not having acute mental faculties; not showing intelligence; dull). Are we comfortable with the unintelligent making laws for us?

dahasamo 1 year, 7 months ago

And not only accepting electronic effects from a foreign country but allowing the to say where the equipment should be used ---- the cabinet??

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