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Saint Lucia: Situation of victims of child sexual abuse; whether there is any stigma attached to victims who complain (2002-2003)

According to statistics from the Division of Human Services and Family Affairs (DHSFA), child sexual and physical abuse cases have increased from five in 1987 to 117, of which 69 were sexual and 48 physical, in 2002 (St. Lucia Mirror 23 May 2003). The DHFSA also stated that 27 cases of sexual abuse and 14 of physical abuse have been reported from January to 6 March 2003 (ibid.). In addition, the Saint Lucia Crisis Centre, reporting that child abuse continues to be prevalent, documented 24 new cases in 2002 (Country Reports 2002 31 Mar. 2003, Sec. 5).

In a May 2002 statement to the United Nations General Assembly on Children, the Governor General of Saint Lucia, Dame Pearlette Louisy, acknowledged that child abuse in her country is a problem and pointed out that "the incidence of physical and sexual abuse, neglect and abandonment of children in Saint Lucia has quadrupled during the course of the last five years" (UN 9 May 2002). Louisy blamed the deteriorating situation on the breakdown of the family unit, the migration of mothers, teen pregnancy, and unemployment (ibid.). In a March 2003 address in Toronto, Louisy reiterated her contention that child abuse continues to be a major problem in Saint Lucia (St. Lucia 1 Mar. 2003).

In October 2002, the Minister for Education, Youth and Sports, Mario Michel, also stated that Saint Lucia has failed in protecting its children, and he announced that the government has declared "war against the abuse and neglect of children" (The Star 2 Oct. 2002). Michel then listed various initiatives the government would take to combat child abuse such as revising the Criminal Code to ensure stronger penalties for child abuse, neglect and abandonment, and

strengthening counseling services for children and students, as well as for improving police training in community relations, domestic violence, conflict resolution and the respectful management of children (ibid.).

Sources reported that the government's efforts to combat child abuse began with the Prime Minister's declaration that 2003 would be the Year of the Child in Saint Lucia (St. Lucia Mirror 11 Apr. 2003; Saint Lucia 14 Apr. 2003). Starting on 20 November 2003 and ending in November 2004, Governor General Louisy noted that the Year of the Child would usher in such actions as strong legislation to protect children's rights and the development of a comprehensive coalition of social organizations to work on securing the needs and interests of children in Saint Lucia (ibid.).

Information about whether there is any stigma attached to victims who complain was vary scarce among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate. Nevertheless, in a 25 June 2003 article in the The Star, a mixed jury in a High Court hearing presided over by Madam Justice Indra Hariprashad-Charles found a 31-year-old father of three not guilty of raping a 15-year-old female. According to The Star, although the victim's mother had witnessed the aftermath of the incident, the Judge explained that there should be collaborative evidence in such a case because the mother's evidence was "an independent source" (25 June 2003). Moreover, the Judge explained to the jury that "the law recognized that it is easy for women to cry rape" (The Star 25 June 2003). The judge also said that the alleged perpetrator's testimony that the victim had told him she was older than 15, and his assertion that the two were romantically involved, "was sufficient defense" (ibid.).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2002. 31 March 2003. U.S. Department of State. Washington, DC. <http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2002/19170pf.htm> [Accessed 27 Aug. 2003]

Saint Lucia. 14 April 2003. "November 2003 – November 2004, 'Year of the Child'." (Press Release) <http://www.stlucia.gov.lc/pr2003/november_2003_-_november_2004,_'year_of_the_child'.htm> [Accessed 27 Aug. 2003]
_____. 1 March 2003. "Address by Saint Lucia's Governor General Dame Pearlette Louisy to the Saint Lucia Association in Toronto, Canada, March 1, 2003." <http://www.stlucia.gov.lc/addresses_and_speeches/address_by_saint_lucia's_governor_general_dame_pearlette_louisy_to_the_saint_lucia_association_in_toronto_canada_-_march_1,_2003.htm> [Accessed 27 Aug. 2003]

St. Lucia Mirror [Castries]. 23 May 2003. David Vitalis. "Children At Risk: Commentary." <http://www.stluciamirroronline.com/2003/may23/art2.htm> [Accessed 27 Aug. 2003]
_____. 11 April 2003. "GG Outlines Legislative Agenda: Children, Justice Among Priorities." <http://www.stluciamirroronline.com/2003/apr11/story5.htm> [Accessed 27 Aug. 2003]

The Star [Castries]. 25 June 2003. Christine Larbey. "Father Acquitted on Rape Charge." <http://www.stluciastar.com/midweek/wedjun25-03/news1.htm#news2> [Accessed 4 July 2003]
_____. 2 October 2002. "Another St Lucian Victim Cries for Help!" <http://www.stluciastar.com/midweek/wedoct02-02/lead.htm> [Accessed 27 Aug. 2003]

United Nations. 9 May 2002. United Nations Special Session on Children, New York, 8-10 May 2002. "Saint Lucia Statement by Her Excellency Dame Pearlette Lousiy, GCMG, GCSL, D. St. Ph.D., LL.D. (Hon), Governor General of Saint Lucia, to the Twenty-Seventh Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly on Children." <http://www.un.org/ga/children/saintluciaE.htm> [Accessed 24 June 2003]

Additional Sources Consulted

IRB databases
A representative at the St. Lucia Save the Children Fund (LUSAVE) would not disclose information publicly.
Dialog
Unsuccessful attempts in receiving information from the Saint Lucia Crisis Centre.
Unsuccessful attempts in receiving information from the Department of Human Services of the Ministry of Health.
World News Connection/Dialog

Internet sites:

Amnesty International
Carribean Association for Feminist Research and Action
Children's Rights Information Network
Childwatch International Research Network
ECPAT International (End Child Prostitution, Pornography and the Trafficking of Children for Sexual Purposes)
Freedom House
Human Rights Watch
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
Isis International
Latin American and Caribbean Committee for the Defense of Women's Rights (CLADEM)
Panamerican Health Organization (PAHO)
Saint Lucia Online
UNICEF
World Newspapers

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Topics: SGBV, Childrens rights,