Bahamas Against Sexual Violence & Child Abuse (BASV&CA) will make a national call to action for the protection of children this evening in Rawson Square. The group will hold a demonstration from 5 to 8pm in response to the sentencing of Kendrick Rolle, a repeat offender.
On October 20, 2014 Kendrick Rolle was sentenced by Judge Carolita Bethell to 5 years imprisonment and ordered to receive psychological testing and treatment for the 2013 rape of a 6 year old girl. The period of sixteen months served while awaiting trial was taken into consideration. BASV&CA holds the position that the sentence is too short, especially considering the 2001 conviction for assault of a 13 year old girl for which he was fined.
BASV&CA attempted to reach the case prosecutor Basil Cumberbatch by phone. The group later emailed him to ask whether or not he would seek an appeal and has not yet received a response.
Since the year prior to taking office in 2012, current Minister of National Security, Hon. Dr. Bernard Nottage has been calling for the implementation of Marco’s Law. This proposed amendment to the Child Protection Act would ensure the implementation of an Amber Alert system prompting authorities take immediate action when a child is reported missing. The amendment also seeks to put into effect a convicted sexual offenders registry. The law was passed in 2013, but has yet to be implemented and is not expected to be retroactive.
BASV&CA invites corporate Bahamas, civic organizations, and the general public to join the call to action by attending the demonstration in Rawson Square.
