A few days ago, I highlighted the unsettling admission by our esteemed King’s Counsel and Prime Minister, the Hon. Philip Brave Davis, who confessed he is “not sure of the law when it comes to sentencing sexual predators.” This revelation is deeply concerning, especially given his position and legal background.

In a recent article titled “PM decries ‘horrific’ act against children” by The Nassau Guardian, Prime Minister Davis expressed his horror over a case where a father received a mere five-year prison sentence for molesting his three-year-old twin daughters. He stated, “Our fathers need to be caring and protective rather than predators of their children, and the full brunt of the law always should be brought to bear in circumstances such as this.” He further added that he believed the offense warranted life in prison but admitted he was unsure of the law.

While it’s commendable that Prime Minister Davis acknowledges the gravity of such heinous acts, his uncertainty about the law is alarming. If our nation’s leader is unsure about legal statutes concerning such critical issues, one must wonder about his grasp on other matters of national importance.

Fortunately, we have emerging leaders willing to address what the Prime Minister et al seems either unable or unwilling to confront. Free National Movement (FNM) Senator Michela Barnett-Ellis has called on the government to increase sentences for sexual offenses, decrying the “mixed messages” the Davis administration is sending about protecting women and girls. She referenced the same case, stating; “Five years does not feel like enough punishment for his heinous actions.” She emphasized the need to increase the maximum sentence for indecent assault, which currently stands at seven years, to send a clear message of non-tolerance for such behavior.

It appears that while the Prime Minister and his administration remain hesitant, leaders like Senator Barnett-Ellis are stepping up to advocate for necessary legal reforms. This hesitancy is reminiscent of past instances, such as when Prime Minister Davis suggested supplying women with whistles as a measure against sexual assault—a proposal that was met with widespread criticism for its inadequacy.

Beyond reactive discussions about sentencing, we must address the root causes of these crimes. What goes through the mind of a man that makes him “comfortable” sexually assaulting his three-year-old daughters? What makes a person believe it is “alright” to sexually assault minors? There must be underlying factors contributing to this behavior. Is there a growing number of individuals finding this acceptable, or has it always been prevalent, only now coming to light through increased reporting?

The Bahamas deserves better.

 The Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) fails for one reason; it is their nature.

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