Press Release: Inaccessibility to Justice for Survivors of Gender-Based Violence
INACCESSIBILITY TO JUSTICE FOR SURVIVORS OF GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE
Access to justice continues to be limited for survivors of gender-based violence, due in large part to the lack of comprehensive laws, inefficiency and corruption in law enforcement and the judicial system, victim-blaming, and the resulting shame and stigma which disproportionately impact survivors.
That Member of Parliament Kirk Cornish was accused of physical and sexual violence and threats of death and remained in the position as Member of Parliament—a position of power and influence that undoubtedly affected the case— for the duration of the trial is violent and irresponsible.
Many women and girls have experienced violence perpetrated by people in positions of power and hesitate to report or, when they do report, cannot endure the long, difficult judicial process, or the harm that comes to them as a result. Corruption, abuse of power, and deliberate protection of violent criminals are deterrents to reporting gender-based violence and directly violate the human right to equal protection of the law.
The Government of The Bahamas has been urged by international human rights bodies—with which it voluntarily participates—to take specific actions, including passing the gender-based violence bill which it shelved in favor of the substandard, embarrassing, so-called “Protection Against Violence Act” which ignores the specific issue of gender-based violence. The government consistently communicates, in its action and inaction, that it does not value women and enjoys complicity in gender-based violence.
“Many survivors do not truly have the choice to report gender-based violence perpetrated against them or use the judicial system,” said Director of Equality Bahamas Alicia Wallace. “We advocate for all to have the choice, and we fiercely support all survivors and their right to seek and access justice within and beyond the judicial system.”
“We, at Equality Bahamas, continue to stand with survivors. We respect and honor them for sharing their stories, and for not sharing until they feel safe doing so,” Ms. Wallace said. “The Government of The Bahamas, as a duty-bearer, must create the environment that makes it possible for survivors to report and access the justice they need, beyond current possibilities, and it must end gender-based violence.”
The Bahamas Women’s Health Survey, conducted by Sanigest Internacional, resulted in a proposed Coordinated Care Model, centering survivors and their needs, which has yet to be implemented despite the urgent need. Survivors have the right to report gender-based violence, expect and receive access to justice, and be provided with resources and services to support them long term.
Equality Bahamas calls for survivor-centered justice which is not limited to court proceedings and imprisonment of perpetrators, but must include immediate medical attention, safe housing, responsive work conditions, reparations, and mental health support.
Equality Bahamas is a feminist organization that promotes women’s and LGBTQI+ people’s rights as human rights through advocacy, public education, and community engagement.
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