The Tribune

By EARYEL BOWLEG

Tribune Staff Reporter

ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

POLICE have confirmed they are investigating allegations that a man allegedly raped his daughter.

He is not in custody as yet, but investigations are ongoing, a police official said. The age of the alleged victim could not be confirmed up to press time.

Reports circulating online allege the man is a police officer on active duty, however a representative from the Royal Bahamas Police Force said they could not confirm this until they have sufficient information.

Police Commissioner Clayton Fernander last month revealed a 14 percent overall increase in sex crimes last year, with 204 cases reported. The year before 179 incidents were recorded.

Specifically for rape, there were 55 incidents reported in 2022, representing a 15 percent increase over 2021.

Eight of the victims were tourists, while 39 percent of the victims knew the assailant.

Additionally, police reported that there were 139 unlawful sexual intercourse cases - an 11 percent increase over the 2021 numbers.

Commissioner Fernander called the sex crime numbers alarming and pleaded with parents to keep a close eye on their children.

“The unlawful sexual intercourse (victims) are young ladies under the age of 16. We want to send a message to the parents – please try to monitor your children on social media. Watch their habits on social media,” he said last month.

“I want to send a strong message to the men out there who continue to prey on our little darlings, our young people, to stop now because if you don’t, we will find you and you will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”