Parliamentarians clash on source of sexual abuse in Dominica

child sex abuseOpposition Senator, Isaac Baptiste Isaac Baptiste and Attorney General Levi Peter, have given opposing views on the primary source of sexual abuse in Dominica.

Baptiste believes it is due to poverty but Peter said such position is disturbing since a wide section of the society has been prosecuted for sexual abuse crimes.

Both men spoke in parliament earlier this week during the debate on amendments to the Sexual Offences Act.

Baptiste said there is a need to speak about the issues that are causing sex abuse on the island.

“Certainly poverty is an issue, poverty throughout Dominica, increasing poverty, the question of the lack of employment is an issue,” he stated. “I would wish that the Social Services Department would do further analysis of the statistics to see how many of these families, how many of these children, who are affected by sexual behaviour, actually come from single parent family homes.”

Baptist said that there needs to be more collaboration between the ministries concerned to provide the finances to analyze the statistics, to ensure that the vulnerable groups can be identified.

“For example we can keep children at school longer maybe because their parents are out there working hard and therefore they spend more time away from their children …” he noted.

He went on to say that the issue of poverty must not be looked upon as a form of criticism of the government, but as an issue throughout the world and in Dominica.

But according to Peter, Baptiste’s opinion is disturbing without statistics to back it up.

“It is a bit disturbing that the senator finds a means of suggesting that the source of sexual abuse is somehow a result of poverty and to do so as he did without providing this House and the wider public with any statistical or other important data to support that,” he remarked.

He noted that the facts seem to suggest the contrary to Baptiste’s opinion since a wide cross section of society has been prosecuted for sexual crimes.

“There have been members of the clergy and the religious body, professionals, poor people, rich people. It is human beings of every trade,” Peter argued. “So to suggest that poverty is somehow a cause is disturbing.”

Statistics show that 128 children were sexually abused in Dominica in 2015.

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48 Comments

  1. Homosexuality and Child Abuse
    November 2, 2016

    Homosexuality is the leading cause of child abuse. That’s a fact.

    Homosexuals can practice their craft, but should be licenced to do so safely. Just like a driving licence, their certification should be renewed periodically (say, once a year) and be subject to rigourous testing (both practical and theoretical).

    Who is a safe homosexual? A person who:-

    tells no one that they are
    does not include anal sex in their repertoire of given pleasures
    a politician who has a lot to lose if they are found out
    absolutely does not penetrate anally or sexually interfere with anyone under the age of 70 years old
    is free from aids
    is willing to attend homosexuality correction classes (free of charge)
    is not a member of the roman catholic regime.

  2. Blazer
    October 31, 2016

    I quite agree with mr Baptiste POVERTY is one of the leading
    Factors to SEXUAL ABUSE

  3. Caribbean National
    October 30, 2016

    If it was in the context of Prostitution however if some parents are allowing their children to go through this then they need to be arrested.

    In Antigua alone, Child porn and prostitution accounts for poverty on that island because of the lack of jobs.

  4. FORKIT
    October 29, 2016

    levi, can you list the rich people, religious people, clergy member and professional person that were prosecuted for sex crimes?.

  5. Jayne Doe
    October 28, 2016

    Something needs to be done because it’s getting worse. I’m in my mid 40s and I too I’m a Victim of sexual abuse. He is married today with three daughters living on the island of St. Lucia. Dominica needs new laws to protect the victims and punish the abusers.

  6. Sams Gutter
    October 28, 2016

    This has been an ongoing problem for generations in Dominica. Those that could bring a stop to it have done nothing. We known of those higher up and those with money and power abusing children but because of their positions they were able to get away with it. The problem of alcohol abuse has played a prevalent role in the sexual abuse issue. That must be addressed. Dominica can truly be a paradise, let us work towards making it so.

  7. Independent Observer
    October 28, 2016

    Single parent homes appeared to be equated with poverty (a broad term in itself), which is not necessarily the case. There are also many, many married people (both husbands and wives) who have little time for their children. The (causation) arguments being put forward here are indeed disturbing & parliamentarians should be held accountable to much higher standards than the quality of the debate described in this article.

    While several factors have been put forward as to possible contributory causes to/of child abuse, research is needed in the D/can context to find out which apply to us and which do not.

  8. mine
    October 28, 2016

    Maybe yes maybe no poverty is to blame for sexual abuse but we must warn our childern to be content with what they have. If all what our children see they want, they will do anything to get it envy is one of the main reason to. If we as parents raise our children right alot can be avoided.

  9. Tell the Truth
    October 27, 2016

    Look at sin/crimes on a mortal and spiritual level and human weakness. I am not implying that you have to bring this up in Parliament. :lol:
    I have previously stated that not all those who are poor resort to this crime. It all boils down to, “People need the Lord” and for them to pray and practice the faith and genuinely so. They are devoid of the Lord’s blessing and graces to avoid temptation and to ask God to help them in this respect.
    Otherwise, they will fall into sin over and over again. Their perverted mind dwells on it and possesses them to the point they must find someone for release to be partner to this crime.
    Some are not satisfied with one occasion and will continue seeking a victim. Note that after they have satisfied their evil desire,they could kill their victims, adult or child. It occurs especially in big countries.
    Is this the cause of poverty? It is the cause of a depraved mind and yes, influenced and prompted by Satan.

  10. Tell the Truth
    October 27, 2016

    What does Isaac really know about sexual abuse, referring it to poverty. You are nuts!
    Those who say they are lost and/or confused have reason to be. Poverty, it is obvious that Isaac is not referring to those who commit the sexual abuse who are poor but the victims. Do the victims beg their molesters to commit a sexual crime on them and to pay them? Generally the offer comes from the molester; not the child.
    Children are innocent. They could befriend anyone not realizing the danger of this. If children are not approached and propositioned they would not experience sexual abuse. Some of them are in a situation that they are unable to avoid.
    I do not see how poverty has anything to do with sexual abuse. I reiterate, who is Isaac referring to, the molester or the child?
    Isaac was downright referring to the PM about lack of jobs. I read much of that on DNO by UWP supporters. It is unfair and ridiculous to assume that sexual abuse is due to poverty.

  11. Teaching
    October 27, 2016

    If is poverty then most women are poor then. And the men can afford. Sounds like inequality to me.

  12. LifeandDeath
    October 27, 2016

    Levi have a problem calling a spade a spade..but just as Baptiste suggested that the welfare division should look for the correlation between the victims of sexual abuse and their state of affluence..we can all guess that there will be a very positive correlation between the two variables..
    Now is not time to be standoffish or hypocritical based on Political inclinations..it’s time to admit that the mal exist and do something about it..

  13. 4kreese
    October 27, 2016

    Is it poverty causing the perpetrator to commit the crime or is it because of poverty the victim is violated? The truth is perpetrators and victims come from all strata of society.

  14. Just Passing Through
    October 27, 2016

    Sexual abuse has nothing to do with poverty. More men than women are perpetrators of sexual abuse and have nothing to do with poverty for instance there was a high profile case years ago of two brothers from a very wealthy family who killed their parents and one of what they said drove them was that they were tired of being sexually abused. I do not know if it is true or they said that because they knew society frowns of such incidents. I brought this up to show not only the poor this can happen too.

    There is also the case of the teacher who abused her student and said they were in love. She ended up in jail for sexually abusing the young man. That also had nothing to do with poverty.

    That does not mean poor people and the physically challenged are not being sexually abuse. The Government has done very well to improve on the legislation to have stiffer penalties in such cases.

    it’s about power and control. Is it poverty when a 9 MTH old baby is abused?

  15. LB
    October 27, 2016

    To put it simple i will quote it. “people are victims of their circumstances”

  16. Elsa Royer
    October 27, 2016

    Ok am I missing something here? So when a cop sexually abuses a kid he’s actually doing that as a result of that kid being poor?? What a sick disturbing analysis. How about he is using his power to commit a crime he knows maybe he can get away with. Or maybe just maybe he is a sick bastard.

  17. Lang Mama
    October 27, 2016

    There are hundreds of documentaries on line supporting the theory put forward by the opposition member.
    The UN, World Bank, UNESCO etc all support the theory. Levi Peter is only making his argument because of politics- his administration may end up with the foul smell once poverty is associated to Dominica. But what is there to hide we are a poor country – 2nd to Haiti in the caribbean. Sexual abuse is proportionally higher in poor countries and among poor communities and that is not just a problem but it is the truth.
    Throughout the Skerrit administration we try to solve problems by pretending the problem does not exist. We tell ourselves DA is doing good and we are sending remittances to our families in America. We say no corruption even when it sits on our beds; How can we move forward on pure lies. Impossible.

  18. Shaka Zulu
    October 27, 2016

    The level of the arguments in the Parliament in Dominica is a shame. Anyway, I agree with the AG that arguments must be based on statistics and reputable scientific data. However, the story above indicate that Baptist was highlighting one of the issues. This seems to me that poverty is not the only issue in his mind. Secondly the AG says according to facts but did not indicate which statistical reports he used to back his facts. In my mind his argument is no different from Baptist. What needs to be asked is what the criminal statistics show and what have our academic deducted from the statistics. As the AG he may be privy to info that Baptist never saw. How can our lawmakers be making laws based on personal opinion without the use of statistics is besides me. One of the reasons criminals get away with murder in Dominica it’s because of the level of thought and intellect or lack thereof in the law making process. In layman’s terms idiots in Parliament. Public get what they vote.

  19. i have seen it
    October 27, 2016

    sexual exploitation in Dominica is truly done on the poor and vulnerable children

  20. me
    October 27, 2016

    :!: FAMILY MEMBERS TOO….. THEY ARE THE WORSE ONES…. NOT JUST THE HIGHER UPS….
    Baptiste, Baptiste, Baptiste, are you present.. “hey, back to reality; you sound like the abusers themselves, listen to that…. ” YOU wanted it, it’s YOUR fault, why didn’t YOU say no, why did YOU let him do it, YOU have a tongue in YOUR mouth,?” Baptiste YOU are so ************OUT OF TOUCH!!!!!!!!!!

  21. truth , shall set you free
    October 27, 2016

    dominicans are to hypocrite ,and sometimes senseless in their thinking, It is so simple to see ,We see that everyday happening ,We do know the main cause of sexual abuse in Dominica is poverty,Levi will not accept that because his government is responsible for this situation we are in presently, But, what else?Go back to the records of twenty years back then ,check it out and compare them see if there is and comparism ,the past twenty years have had overwhelming amounts of sexual abuse cases ,and poverty has risen significantly , go to the homes where milk and honey used to flow right now ,the milk smells funny,Go to the villages where the people felt empowered and were independent, look at the condition of their life now,, Think of how many parents now who fully depends on government to send their children to school, , cant even be proud anymore to say , I work hard to send my children to school,Like its no more their children but ,The ministers, so what do you expect?

  22. October 27, 2016

    There is no one single cause of sexual child abuse. Rather there are a number of things that can be contributing factors. The “cause” can be any one or a combination of these.

    POVERTY is sometimes at least partly to blame. Some stats suggest abuse is more prevalent in low income families where other problems exist.

    LACK OF A SATISFYING MARITAL RELATIONSHIP.

    PORN: This fuels illicit desire. If a man has a grievance against his wife, and falls victim to PORN, this can easily explode into criminal behavior if OPPORTUNITY presents itself. Obviously there are men who should not be alone with a child especially if these other problems exist in their lives.

    However, we have known of crimes of sexual abuse against children committed by single young men (and less often by single young women) with none of the before mentioned problems. This tells us we should be careful who we allow to babysit our children or be alone with them at home or on outings.

    Sincerely, Rev. Donald…

  23. Bumbble Lee
    October 27, 2016

    Come on and get on with de next election. Tired of this child’s play sex game crap and things frivolous. All you people really know how to waste time. Shocks man.

  24. October 27, 2016

    The world has accepted the concept of “poverty” to be the “lack of money” and other “material assets”, that is the reason we have labelled our country, our beautiful Dominica with that title–no doubt.

    But the kind of “poverty” which has affected the world on the whole is “spiritual” poverty–a symptom which is totally lost from the mind of mankind, because he is dead to Life in the Spirit, which has to be the only Life in him. “The body without the spirit is dead” James 2: 26

    So then the mind of man continue to remain conformed to the world; his attitude and conduct is to fulfill his worldly activities and the passion of his flesh. The sad thing is that he is not aware of this problem, for his conscience is dead and so his mind is carnal.

    • October 27, 2016

      I am sure that Mr. Baptiste is referring to the lack of money and material assets when he says: “Certainly poverty is an issue, poverty throughout Dominica” his suggestion for sexual abuse in our country. That is not a truth, in-fact it is a very weak suggestion.

      Dominicans are suffering from the lack of Spiritual attributes (characteristics); but without those traits we remain conformed to the world and its system of ungodliness–our passion is to steal, kill, and destroy, those are the commands of the “god” of this world.

      Spiritual poverty is a deadly disease affecting all societies of the world. Man is faced with the temptation to sin, from east, west, north, and south–and he simply yield to those sinful provocation.

      So then, there can be no solution, unless man can come to terms with the flaw of his conscience and mind, so to desire to be healed; the Blood of Christ Jesus is the antidote against man’s sinful mind and heart–that is a fact.

      • October 31, 2016

        I agree with this especially the final paragraph :!:

        People must face their own fallen nature inherited from Adam. Out of this every inclination, tendency, and temptation to sin erupts.

        We must acknowledge we have sinned. Poverty, bad parenting, and early childhood experiences may exist. But how we respond to these things is a personal responsibility.

        But “THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST IS THE ANTIDOTE AGAINST MAN’S SINFUL MIND AND HEART” – that is a fact.

        The precious blood of Christ was shed on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins.
        It satisfied the claims of Divine justice, and purchased salvation for all who BELIEVE in the Lord Jesus Christ. This salvation includes deliverance from every oppression of the devil for spirit, soul, and body.

        The Bible says “… … …Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” (Acts 16:31)

        It is written “… … … the blood of Jesus Christ (God’s) Son cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John…

      • October 31, 2016

        Rev. Donald Hill, D.D. October 31, 2016

        Thank you very much! Praise the Lord!

  25. Massacre
    October 27, 2016

    I don’t think either men expressed their points of views in an intelligent manner for any f them to understand the other.
    Issac was saying that most of the victims are poor people thus the clergy and rich guys take advantage of them, this is true.
    Levi is a Gov’t man so the statistics should be easy for him to find.
    After all , we can all agree that abuse in Dominica is too prevalent and too many go unpunished based of the societal and political standing of the perpetrators.

  26. Boss man
    October 27, 2016

    I thought poverty would make humans hungry and not sweff.

  27. Roger Burnett
    October 27, 2016

    The root cause of many of the world’s destructive social problems is not necessarily caused by poverty related to finance, but poverty related to unlived life. Successful professionals can be just as devoid of life’s creative needs as those that spend their day at the street corner or glued to soap operas. Hence, deviant behaviour cuts across all boundaries.

    In his book “Escape to Freedom”, Erich Fromm argues:

    “…the amount of destructiveness to be found in individuals is proportionate to the amount to which the expansiveness of life is curtailed…Life has an inner dynamism of its own (and) if thwarted, the energy directed towards life undergoes a process of decomposition and changes into energies directed towards destruction…Destructiveness is the outcome of unlived life…”

    • Lang Mama
      October 27, 2016

      Roger Eric Fromm specifically noted ” not necessarily “. Also Fromm is referring to deviant behavior by professional . This section is not really focusing on poverty and it’s relation to sexual abuse in society. “Successful professionals can be just as devoid of life’s creative needs”
      Why cant we just deal with the fact, the truth and the problems as they stand and stop the antics in the name of party politics. It is conventional wisdom, universally accepted that sexual abuse is partially related to poverty. The argument is not t poverty is the only cause of sexual abuse.
      We need to stop this BS and start acting in the interest of country as oppose to party or politician.
      Interestingly you posted an excerpt from Fromm’s book but expresses no opinion. The majority of sexual abuse in Dominica are not done by professionals. Relate that to our population of professionals and cases of sexual abuse. Also take a look at the victims tell us how many came from well functional…

      • Roger Burnett
        October 31, 2016

        Lang Mama,

        The first paragraph is mine. It is in the second paragraph that I quote from Erich Fromm.

        My first sentence is qualified by the words “many” and “not necessarily”. Please also note that I referred to social problems in general, sexual abuse being one of them.

        In my opinion, these problems cannot be solved by solely focusing on the victims. To get to the root cause we have to better understand the mentality of the perpetrators.

    • Tell the Truth
      October 27, 2016

      I recall a poem in elementary school, the end of it is: “. . . And Satan finds some mischief still for idle hands to do.”
      This is so true. It has absolutely nothing to do with poverty.
      The saying,: “Your mind can either make you sick or well.”
      Evil minds commit such crimes. There is no such thing as poverty minds. :lol: .

    • October 29, 2016

      Based upon what I have seen I cannot say financial poverty is not a contributing factor in some cases of sexual child abuse. It is not the cause in every case because the problem sometimes erupts among the well to do.

      However these two paragraphs from Roger Burnett are loaded with truth. Most of us are not thinking deeply enough to come up with such reality. I immediately recognized the correctness of Mr. Burnett’s
      comment but I would have a problem paraphrasing it.

      YES :!: The poverty of an unlived life. This is profound :!: A man who has a sense that he has done nothing worthwhile, has contributed nothing, and has achieved no worthy goals especially when those goals are things he greatly wanted for himself may have low self esteem. The same is true of a man who is
      troubled by financial poverty. A certain resentment creeps in. He is tempted to compensate by allowing himself “forbidden pleasures”. This can manifest in various criminal activities.

      Sincerely, Rev. Donald…

  28. Sylvester Cadette
    October 27, 2016

    I would agree with the Attorney General on the one hand that in Parliamentary Debates and in defining legislative frameworks and concise solutions within the Parliament Statistics are critical. On the other hand though ones does not even need to have the statistics to infer that poverty is a key factor in child sexual abuse in almost any society throughout the world. What the statistics simply does is that it contextualizes the generalized assumptions.

    I note the quote of the Attorney General which is in Print in the article. “There have been members of the clergy and the religious body, professionals, poor people, rich people. It is human beings of every trade,” Peter argued. “So to suggest that poverty is somehow a cause is disturbing.”

    He sited members of the clergy and the religious body, professionals, poor people, rich people. Are these the people who perpetrated the crimes or were they the victims? If they were the perpetrators then how does that support his argument?

    • Sylvester Cadette
      October 27, 2016

      Since the article does not expressly state it then I must raise the next obvious question and that is whether both parliamentarians were referring to Sexual Abuse in general or Sexual abuse perpetrated against children. if the latter then I cannot fathom the sexually abused children as being members of the clergy and the religious body or being professionals, though they could well come from poor or rich families.

      The arguments as presented seem warped. I hope it was an error in reporting which can be fixed but if it is the level of debate and the poor ability of our Parliamentarians to express themselves eloquently and concisely as typical of our Parliamentarians ON BOTH SIDES OF THE HOUSE WITH ABSOLUTELY NO EXCEPTION, then I am very saddened.

      At times there are very interesting and valid points but the level of elocution and sometimes basic comprehension makes you cringe.

      I would give our Parliamentarians three key words to live by, EMMACULATE, IMPECCABLE & CIRCUMSPECT

      • Forreal
        October 27, 2016

        I do not grasp what you have understood the AG said ,In my understanding what he simply said was abusive crimes have or is on record perpetuated by both poor and upper class individuals,you have in my opinion gone of on some grandeur form of defense of the upperclass

      • Tell the Truth
        October 27, 2016

        In simple terms, Isaac stated poverty is the cause of sexual abuse. The Attorney General responded that people from all walks of life are capable of sexual abuse. This is only an example. The Attorney General is correct.
        To say that poverty is the cause of this attitude, is erroneous.

  29. Poverty
    October 27, 2016

    Yep, it’s due to poverty. All these poor kids being raped and molested by ……….. those in high places wish they could afford to hire lawyers to get some redress.

    • October 31, 2016

      Redress?

      It is not the victim who needs to hire a lawyer.

      Report to the police. Have the accused charged. Ask to talk to the chief or commanding officer. Don’t waste time with a person at the front desk. If they say “Is it something I can help you with” say NO! Let them know you MUST speak with whoever is in charge.

      Have the necessary information ready. The police will want to know want to know who, when, how, and where if they have any interest in their work.

      If the police give you no satisfaction go to your best newspaper. Ask the editor for a reporter to go to the police station with you and write down your conversation with the police. You want to know HOW it will be dealt with and WHEN. The time you will have to wait is important enough to ask.

      This is what the police are paid to do. If they are not interested enough in a sexual assault OR if they refuse to deal with it because of a particular bias the public should know.

      Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill.

  30. Lang Mama
    October 27, 2016

    Is Levi Peter serious. First of all who needs statistics to confirm poverty in Dominica. Dominica is a poor country period.
    Conventional wisdom and world wide research have established that poverty is a breeding ground for sexual abuse.
    What is shocking is that Levi is arguing that human being of all sector of society get involve in sexual abuse but what he is not recognizing is that most abusers come from a wide sector of society but most victims are vulnerable due to poverty.

    • Forreal
      October 27, 2016

      By the heading of which you have chosen to identify yourself tells a lot of your level of intelligence,this is an attorney of law which you are trying to rebuff on a topic he is well versed,that is his job and speciality….. prosecution!!!..his argument is, this crimes are perpetuated by high and low class citizens of Dominica and foreign countries,this is not a poor people only crime,baptist should no,he supports mans abusive behavior of rectum riding

  31. Interested
    October 27, 2016

    I am lost. I do not know how you can blame poverty for child sexual abuse.

    • Lang Mama
      October 27, 2016

      Really is that what you understand in the argument. If so then I recommend an oversized badge of honor for your ignorance. Smfh

    • Overseas
      October 27, 2016

      Well poverty in itself is not being blamed but the conditions in which a poor person finds itself often lead to actions that a so call well off person will not do. For example , a guy went to Da on vacation and when he returned he said he slept with many young girls after buying them cell phones. If their parents could buy it for them they won’t go for that abuse.
      Just saying that there is not one societal deficiency we can point to but most of it revolves around poverty.

  32. Truth Be Told
    October 27, 2016

    The Relationship between Child Abuse and Poverty

    https://www.jstor.org/stable/4066368?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents

    http://www.welfareacademy.org/pubs/childwelfare/dont_call_it_97.pdf

    Sexual exploitation can happen to any young person – whatever their background, age, gender, race or sexuality or wherever they live. Risk factors include: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/child-abuse-and-neglect/child-sexual-exploitation/who-is-affected/

    • Dr Clayton Shillingford
      October 27, 2016

      The information shared to this point supports the position of Opposition Senator, Isaac Baptiste and not that of Attorney General Levi Peter. Let’s see if the statistical data for Dominica backs up Baptiste or Peter. I assume the data is available for analysis..

    • yup
      October 28, 2016

      You are so right. Poverty is one of the major factors but not the only factor. And research has also shown that the majority of sexual abuse victims know their abusers. Whether it be a family member, family friend, neighbor and sometimes these have nothing to do with economic status. Some people are just downright animals!

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