The Dominica Council on Ageing (DCOA) and Member of Parliament for Wesley, Ezekiel Bazil, have strongly condemned the assault on an 87-year-old woman elderly woman in the community.
President of the DCOA, Zetma Toussaint said the assault is alarming while Bazil described it as “gruesome and wicked.”
Reports are that the senior citizen was allegedly sexaully assaulted in Wesley and is now a patient at the Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH).
Toussaint said the council has spoken out strongly about all forms of elderly abuse in Dominica
“The incident is even more alarming occurring so soon after the DCOA Inc held the 3rd Caribbean conference on Ageing, Elder Abuse and Rights of Older Persons on November 30th and December 1st, 2015 at the Fort Young Hotel,” Toussaint stated.
She noted that the council is calling on the police and other legal authorities to ensure that the perpetrator or perpetrators are apprehended, brought to justice and that the full brunt of the law is applied.
“It is very painful to speak about this crime at this time of year when all Christians speak about love, peace and joy,” she remarked. “Our elderly must be respected and allowed to enjoy their golden years peacefully.”
She said the DCOA is also calling on the general public to condemn such negative actions towards the elderly.
“Community members must be the watchdogs of the elderly and pay special attention to the older members around them,” she stated. “We pray that she will recover from her ordeal as we express our disgust at such incidents in society. We also express our sorrow to the family members concerned.”
She also called on relatives of the elderly to pay attention to what is going on with them.
In terms of safety and security, she revealed that the DCOA has been exploring a security system for the elderly.
“An alert system the elderly could use but we have not been able to successfully negotiate that system with the existing organization here in Dominica who can deal with that, so we will pursue that vigorously and continue to bring about something like that,” she explained. “This alert system is something that they could hang around their neck, especially for those who are living alone and any incident they can just press a button which is connected to the relevant authorities.”
Meanwhile. Bazil said the “unfortunate act” should not be accepted in Dominica.
“This should not be accepted within our community or anywhere in Dominica,” he told DNO. “I totally, with no reservations, condemn in the strongest fashion such action against the elderly or anyone in our community.”
He revealed that a close family member was a victim of this ‘draconian action’ at the age of 78.
“I feel the pain of the family,” Bazil stated.
He called on the police to investigate the incident with no boundaries and to ensure that the culprit is brought to justice.
“I also call on the community to come forward and assist the police … we must provide information,” he noted.
He noted that recently the community of Wesley honoured and celebrated the elderly at a function.
“While we were doing this so some criminal was planning otherwise,” he remarked. “We must stamp out/remove such persons with such thinking out of our community, but we can do it only together. I ask the family to be strong and I ask the entire country to pray for them.”
Not only rape sexually is the elderly suffering from those who prey on them but also robbing them of their moneies in the home etc. I know personally of a family friend who just earlier this year who was succum to these theives who come pretending that they are visiting as friends but there moto was to steal, one will distract the elder person while the other one steals thier valuables. These people are monsters the DCOA need to put an advertisement to educate the elderly asap and ask the community and surroundings to be more vigilant be the watch dog with the police to have a more safe Dominica these person have paid their productive debt to society once before so let them enjoy their GOLDEN YEARS.
Some of you here are commenting on the victim’s age as if it would have been acceptable if she was younger !
Sexual assault and battery has no age limits because a sexual crime is always a sexual crime.
No arrest yet
It is hard to imagine this insane animal roaming the streets of Dominica. It suggests that no elderly lady is safe to live alone on the island, and it is not very inviting to seniors who would consider visiting your beautiful country.
Thank God Ezekiel Bazil and Zetma Tousaint have spoken out expressing the thoughts of many others, along with DNO commentators. Some practical suggestions have been made. We hope the best of them will be implemented.
I cannot imagine any red blooded Dominican not agreeing that this is a crime that calls for the maximum penalty. We hope if and when it comes to court the judge will be of the same mind and send the nation an unmistakeable message.
Many believe this is a crime that would warrant capital punishment. If this seems too severe let it be taken into consideration that nothing else is working and things are only getting worse.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.
I recalled that there was similar case two or three months ago in Wesley and the woman was strangle it was never mentioned, so maybe the person did it again.
In that case they need to start collecting DNA samples. Dominica is critically in need of a forensic department.
When we have lost all respect for each other, and in particular for the elderly, then we have certainly lost something that differentiates us from any wild animal roaming the jungle. This crime that has been committed against an elderly woman is a shame and a disgrace, and we must all rise up against it. There is no longer any respect for the dignity of womanhood in Dominica. Children are being sexually assaulted, our grandmothers are being violated …….how do we cleanse our society of this scourge? All leaders, every man, woman and child must rise up against this. We cannot continue to stand idly by while our society declines and moral standards continue to decay; otherwise the price will be too high.
There should be no waste of government resources on this case. Please deal with it accordingly.
this grotesque act should never go unpunished. Those are the rats we should hunt down and smoke out of their holes!
His sins/crimes will haunt him for the rest of his life. He will not age gracefully nor die peacefully. I hope he will soon be caught and incarcerated for the rest of his life.
Babies are born, they grow up to be adults. No one knows how these once beautiful and lovable babies will grow up to be. Some take up a life of crime which tarnish their reputation and life. As they commit crimes, their heart is filled with hatred for their fellow people.
There is One Person who does not slumber nor sleep. He is our God. I said to someone, I foresee on the Day of Judgment, there will be much weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth even as soon as some die. I pray God to spare me from that eternal fate.
Wickedness will only last for so long. One day God will put an end to this, disrespect, lack of love and concern, especially for the elderly and children. Those sins are crying to Heaven for vengeance. Those who commit such crimes against them, will God forgive them?
This is so very sad I was thinking, as I listened to the Heng this morning and the lady giving a heart wrenching account of the brutal crime done to a Senior Citizen at the same time, trying to lift the spirits of the people in her community. There are just some things that are taboo and human beings do not do; this is one of those things.
My heart went out to the victim and to the people of the community and the relatives and friends of the victim. She also spoke of the those who blocked the roads, thus preventing people from going to and from the Douglas Charles Airport. Are both incidents related? Could the perpetrator be one of those called to move the container and fell trees on the road to prevent the flow of traffic?
This is indeed a very vicious crime. I hope whoever did this hideous crime to the Senior Citizen is found and punished. What a brutal, coward and cruel individual. I pray mentally she will be able to recover even if she does physically.
80% of the people on DA have no respect for other people or animals and that is not good.. That couples with the poverty, lack of ethics, and attitude of entitlement to other people’s property contribute to violent and disrespectful acts towards other living things. It all starts with the children and poor parenting skills.
Well done Bazil and DNCW…….I would also like to join you all and condemn this brutal attack on the elderly citizen.Hope that the culprit will be captured an brought to justice.
Sorry it should have been DCOA.
My heart aches to hear that this woman was violated. I pray for her quick recovery. I pray for the family and ask God to give them the strength to deal with this horrible act. I pray whomever did this is caught and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. SMDH. I remember being told to respect your elders. So disrespectful.
Only a pathetic sick individual would resort to such behaviour. Individuals like that should be castrated on the spot so that this can never happen again. If this pervert had a conscience he would not have committed this gruesome act on an elderly or any person at all. He violated this lady rights hence his rights should be violated also. Make an example of whoever did this….CASTRATE THE PIG OR PIGS.send a message to all the Rapist..CASTRATE HIM IN PUBLIC
Wish it could be done and immediately if this rascal is caught. Unfortunately, as a human being and according to the constitution he still has rights and it cannot be done to him without his consent.
Only in a dictatorship/communist country could this be done. He would be sought out and immediately eradicated from the face of the earth or tortured and imprisoned for life.
It is too bad that democratic countries have so many criminals whereas those countries have very little, if none at all because the people know what their lot will be, should they dare commit a crime.
One has to consent to castration? For real? Then who would consent to that! Boy some of us not easy eh!
Marguerite, in a democratic country it is a known fact the authorities will not take it upon themselves to castrate such men. They will be imprisoned for some years but will, one day be released if they do not die in prison or someone kills them.
They cannot even do that to an animal much more to a human being. If the man asks for it, this is a different story. Even then, it may not be agreed to. That man pleaded with the Judge to be castrated because he was a habitual pedophile. I cannot recall if he murdered a child or children. He knew he would do it again if he got the opportunity. He was honest. The Court agreed. He was sent to a doctor and it was done, at taxpayers’ expense of course.
Others may not be honest and eventually continue their crime. If caught, they will be sent to prison. One day, probably for life.
Castration or capital punishment A significant number of people obviously feel one or the other – maybe both – should be available to punish sexual child molesters and some rapists.
Either one would send a strong message.
Either one would render the perpetrator incapable re-offending.
Neither one would have the support of everybody. (What does not now have the support of anybody is how things are at the present time.)
Both would be considered extreme, cruel, and unusual punishment by a significant number of people.
Things are getting worse. Nothing else has worked. Either the government allows things to get worse at the expense of the nation’s most vulnerable or brings in radical change.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.
We know how the government is slow and to pass Laws. This gets people angry and frustrated. There are too many MP’s and MPP’s to deal with.
Dominica does not have so many. This is why passing Laws in Dominica should be easy and quick.
An ideal mind is the devils workshop: Dominica is a place which lacks employment opportunities, as a result, there is a majority of men and women sitting around all day doing nothing excepts the indulgence in illicit drugs, and alcohol both of which are mind altering substances.
What happened to that old woman, probably would never happen if the assailant was in his right mind. Wesley has become a very nasty place which I doubt I will ever return for as long as I live. The last time I visited Wesley, I felt threatened.
One addicted marijuana idiot followed me half way across the village trying to intimidate me by say \”the wicked shall die.\”
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah!
You know who is that idiot ? (I know him name but I doh talking eh, I doh going to say is one of me nephew fighting me for me own land oui!) In any event there are lots of mentally ill people in Wesley, I have an old sister 81 years living four houses down the street from the victim had…
I have an old sister 81 years living four houses down the street from the victim had it been her I would go home and destroy the culprit,
By the thoughts of your mind, I don’t think that you need to move from you are–those stinking words of yours would do it perfectly on behalf of your physical self–but only to those who are like yourself–that culprit is one of them.
So who is stopping you; whether she is your sister or not. According to Jesus’ words to Judas Iscariot–just do what you have to do , eh!
Elizabeth, as far as I am concerned, I can speak better English than you because you are dunce, all you know how to do well is talk patios.
I doh is no patios man oui, an I doh want no patios woman, especially a twelve year old teacher! I fired you a long time ago, I doh even remember your name, never mind you eh!
You are not laughing at me because of a few noticeable misspelt words!
Tell facts the reason, since you like to tell it all. Tell her every time you think of me you have to smile because of an experience. ( I know what it is, but I doh talking eh, Miss. Elizabeth). You shall carry that smile from that day to the day you depart this earth!
I know you like Sparrow Calypso’s, so perhaps you remember this one, in the chorus it said “you must remember me oui; go on, go on; tell your sister to come!” The name of the song is “Mr. Benwood Dick!
Tell your sister to come down quick I have something here for she!
That was a 1959 hit, it came out the same time…
Did you mean, “An idle mind is the devil’s workshop” or playground.
Another saying, “Satan finds some mischief for idle hands to do.” This is from a poem I remember in elementary school. In this case, idle feet too.
@Face the Facts December 17, 2015
For all you know, this is the way he spells “Idle” he does that all the time, you know!
Like he never says Pastor, he says Pasture; College is Callage; Acres is Archers; being is been, there is a lot more.
One day he wrote to me: I am making “mountains” out of “smoke” –every time I remember that one I always burst out with laughter–that fellow is one big joker and he calls himself educated–good grief!
Yes, Facts I meant idle, not ideal, I am surprised that the twelve year old teacher did not see that. You know why as soon as she saw my post she was so eager to level me to the ground with insults she fail to catch that error.
If I had my way I would go to Elizabeth, and set up a thousand pounds of snow, over her door and call her to come out, and as soon as she step out the door, I would let go all the snow on her head and burry her so that she can cool off!
Is that you Elizabeth? “Good grief” gave you away. Hope you are doing well. I wondered about you. Changed your name? That is OK! He knew it was you. Some people read the writing and can tell it may be the same person. I saw a new name but did not scrutinize the writing. I recall sometime last week he commented and mentioned your name but I did not respond to that writing.
We must teach him some proverbs and spelling. I learned these proverbs since in elementary. This also included spelling. At the CHS I learned bigger words, etc.
I had to read it more than once to realize it is, “Making a mountain out of a molehill.” I laughed.
How about: “A storm in a teapot.” There are many more.
Are u an IDIOT
Francisco:
Thank you for one more example of somebody behaving irrationally because of marijuana. Many more such stories could be told because the weed definitely takes its toll and the evidence is not difficult to find.
Studies have shown that the more available any substance is the more people will use it. Yet in spite of the evidence of the harm marijuana causes there are still people who want it decriminalized and legalized.
When the cops do a major drug bust it is not unusual for them to find marijuana right along with cocaine, heroine, and illegal guns in the inventory because they are all part of the same business.
In Canada and the U.S.A. when people go on a crime binge of destruction and murder it has been noted again and again that that they were high on marijuana, often mixed with alcohol and one of the ”harder” drugs.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.
My only answer to you is that your mountain chicken mentality crapo firend is a damn thief oui!
Hahahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahahhaha!
Go sit down and cry, because you love him than you love Elizabeth. Although you had already spoke you peace here, you could not avoid sending you harassing, and insulting E-mail to me.
Open your E-mail nu, see if you like me response, you go cry fu days eh. I will end by saying a certain man is not blessed, cause he is a thief oui!
Hahahahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahah: take that; that’s what you get for bothering me!
Francisco, be nice. Make an effort for the New Year 2016 to be as kind as you possibly could. This should be your New Year Resolution.
SAD MAN,OUR COUNTRY IS IN A SAD STATE.EVIL ROAMS IN SOCIETY.
Every country has its share in different ways and even in similar ones. Nevertheless, that man is a scamp to commit such an atrocity against a lady of her age.