NGO Coalition supports convicted child rapist sentence

Williams at an event against child abuse
Williams at an event against child abuse

The Non- Governmental Organizations (NGO)’s Coalition for the Protection of Children and Youth says the recent 35-year sentence for child sexual offender, Fagan Jno Hope of Portsmouth, is a powerful signal to the rest of Dominica.

He was sentenced on May 26.

“We think that it augurs well for those who suffer and we can seek and find justice within the court system,” Chairperson of the Coalition, Delroy Williams, told Dominica News Online. “We hope that also those who are informed of the judgment will see it as a deterrent and will stop harming our young people because right now the onus is definitely on them to do what’s right, not just for the young people, but for themselves as well.”

He stated that the coalition is looking forward to championing the cause of young people and to ensure that anyone who has harmed a young person will see justice “and that our young people will know that they are protected by the laws of the Commonwealth of Dominica.”

He also said the coalition is displeased by another recent sentence in which a man received eight years behind bars for sexually molesting three children.

“As far as we are concerned it’s not enough of a punishment that suits the crime,” he stated.

He hopes the matter of sentencing child sex abusers will be addressed.

“It is necessary that as a country, as Dominicans we voice our opinion about things like that and the NGO Coalition is pleased to lead the way forward in that regard,” he remarked.

In Jno Hope’s case, Williams congratulated the prosecutors for doing a good job and also for the welfare services for putting together a comprehensive case.

“To the rest of Dominica I just want to tell them that they should continue having faith in our legal system, as we go forward we understand the importance of ensuring that these cases are dealt with swiftly and we will push in all regards to have it done,” Williams noted.

William’s sentiments were echoed by Executive Director of Lifeline Ministries, Tina Alexander.

“We are delighted to hear that the judge is listening and it is very concerning when people give up on court proceedings and this is evidence that some families have really stuck with it from the point of reporting right way through the court procedures,” she said.

According to Alexander the climate in Dominica has to change so that the island becomes known as a place where children are protected, not where they are abused.

She also made calls for a sexual offenders’ list.

The NGO Coalition will be having a Town Hall meeting on Wednesday June 3 where focus will be placed on the authorities to comment on sentencing.

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13 Comments

  1. JusticeJ
    May 29, 2015

    The warning will be taken seriously when these men are hung!!!!!!! If hanging is not legal in Dominica then I will be the first to make an example on any man, whether father, brother, uncle , cousin, nephew, boyfriend, bopeh, neighbour. I shall torture then hang any man who interferes with my daughter or my son.

  2. D/can to de Bone (F)
    May 29, 2015

    You mean over 600 sex us child abuse in a small country like Dominica from 2010 and no one I mean the government the prime minister, the minister responsible I think it was Gloria Shillingford the the the minister, the politician across the political device, the non government occasions, the police , etc did nothering of voicing about it. THE sign was there it is document by the court. Why nothing was dodone

  3. The Facts
    May 29, 2015

    Times have changed in Dominica and so should the Law. I do believe that there are ample D/cans who are promoting the safety of children. Keep on doing what you are doing. Keep at it and may the law be revised or changed as soon as possible. The innocent children must be protected from pedophiles and perverts.

  4. May 28, 2015

    How can anybody look at the picture of these beautiful children and not feel raging anger at the thought of somebody hurting one of them?

    The NGO Coalition is to be praised for the work they are doing. It is important to let every judge who does what is right know you support him. Tell them in person. Write something for DNO. Get it in other newspapers. Lobby your government for a law to make reporting abuse crimes mandatory. Work to get a Sex Offenders Registry in place.

    You CAN make a difference!

    Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. International Evangelist.

  5. Anthony Ismael
    May 28, 2015

    We are with you in spirit on this one. Keep fighting the good fight. This cannot continue like this. I need to see more convictions and lengthy one also. Jail these darn bastards!!!!!

  6. mine
    May 28, 2015

    You all should punish mothers who are taking settlement from child molesters..

    • Exhale
      May 29, 2015

      I agree, I agree, I agree. Damn wicked people

    • May 30, 2015

      ”Settlements” only when ordered by the court.

      It must not interfere with the process of justice.

      Mothers who accept ”hush money” from a man who has sexually abused one of her children, or who tolerates him because he pays household bills instead of reporting him to the police, is as guilty as he is.
      She has made herself a party to the crime. She is a primp and belongs in jail.

      This is why you need a law that makes it a crime to know about sexual child abuse taking place and not report it to the police immediately.

      Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. International Evangelist.

  7. timb
    May 28, 2015

    Fagan was a murderer everybody knows he was a good for nothing….there are police officers and other people with respectable jobs who abuse kids 13 and under…these are the ones that are kept a secret….

  8. Justice
    May 28, 2015

    CASTRATE them like dogs

  9. Justice
    May 28, 2015

    SURGICAL CASTRATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!,

  10. sailsbury farmer
    May 28, 2015

    Bring them to trial if found guilty execute in one week.

    • May 30, 2015

      Many people feel this way and their number is growing.

      I cannot condone vigilante justice. But if the government does not give the people justice that makes sense the people WILL eventually take it into their own hands. It is the law of the jungle.

      A nation like my own (Canada) that has no capital punishment for any crime is in the greatest danger. Those at greatest risk are the child sex abuse criminals in jail. They are sometimes killed by fellow inmates
      in prison serving a life sentence because they know they have nothing to lose. I have personally known of several such cases. They are not safe outside jail either. Once people know who they are its like they have a big bull’s eye painted on their backs.

      Better to leave justice to the authorities. That is if they will deliver.

      Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. International Evangelist.

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