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Study reveals Online Sexual Exploitation of Children rose in Pandemic; Philippines among the worst

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By Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

 

A recent study from UNICEF and investigation by the BBC have revealed horrific levels of child abuse in the Philippines fueled by pandemic lockdowns and increasing poverty. The study  revealed that country has become a den for Online sexual exploitation and abuse of children (OSEAC) in which adults sometimes even parents force children to perform sexual acts on camera for paying pedophiles on the internet.

A key finding of the study was that certain cultural beliefs contribute to the spread of OSAEC such as ‘if the children are untouched, they are not harmed’ and ‘OSAEC provides easy money and almost everyone does it.’

The BBC’s Laura Bicker visited Preda, an orphanage in the country that specifically helps abused children. Located in the orphanage is a dark padded room outfitted with an on hand therapist. Bicker described what she saw and heard.

“Some of the toughest healing at Preda happens inside a dark room with soft music playing in the background. There are large pads on the walls and floors – the kind gymnasts would use for a soft landing. The only light comes from the open door. About five children are kneeling, each in their own space.  Most of them are facing the wall. The overwhelming sound is the erratic thud of their fists and feet as they pummel the pads. The first raw, anguished cries make your heart stop. And then it starts again, but it’s difficult to keep listening, even from a distance, even for a few minutes. The questions hurled at the cushioned walls – “Why did you do this to me? Why me? What did I do?”

The situation is becoming increasingly dire.

Only around 20 per cent of Filipino children are listed by UNICEF as not vulnerable to online sexual exploitation and the pandemic has made it worse. UNICEF says a good grasp of the English Language, availability and ease of access to technology, well-established financial transaction facilities, and ‘absence of perceived conflict between sexual exploitation and significant social norms are some of the reasons the gruesome industry is allowed to thrive and expand.

While instances of online abuse may not be as prevalent in the Caribbean instances of sexual abuse are still high.  A recent study revealed that nearly 15 per cent of children aged 11–12 years and, 35 per cent of young people, 14–15 years old reported having had sexual experiences. Since the onset of the pandemic in 2019 those numbers have spiked.

In  Jamaica alone pediatricians said cases abuse rose 70 per cent during the pandemic but cases reported to the police dropped significantly indicating extreme underreporting.

Sexual crimes are some of the most underreported crimes in the world for various reasons including fear, coercion and shame. Protection of children from sexual abuse in all its forms must then become a community effort with adults taking on the responsibility of investigating and speaking up on behalf of children who may not be able to do so on their own.

Crime

North Caicos man admits Guilt to Cocaine and Marijuana

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Wilkie Arthur 

Freelance Court Correspondent

Monday, March 25th, 2024, in the Magistrate’s Court before Her Honor the Acting Resident Magistrate Ms. Patricia Arana, from the Grand Turk Magistrate Court via video link, the following matters were called:

North Caicos man #1 DYRON FULFORD pleaded guilty to two of three charges in relation to the cocaine and marijuana he was found with at Bellefield Landing in Kew, North Caicos on Valentine’s Day of 2024.

After the Crown had laid out the facts surrounding the case to the learned Resident Magistrate, and when he was asked if he had anything to say before sentencing, he said “I would like if you can probation me or give me reasonable fine and I’m saying sorry for getting into this trouble.”

The cocaine was eight grams with a street value of $80.00. The weed was 4,689 grams with a street value of $4,680.00. 

One final charge was read to the accused Fulford, and that is of intent to supply the large quantity of cannabis taken from him by police Superintendent Dean Holden in an undercover sting operation on the Island of North Caicos. 

The Crown may withdraw the intent to distribute the weed charge or proceed with a trial on that count alone following the sentencing of Fulford.

His sentencing for the guilty pleas is adjourned to next month.

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Crime

Avalanche of Armed Robberies, Residents on Edge

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Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer 

Since the start of 2024, a rolling avalanche of robberies in the country has put residents on edge. Now the unknown robbers are staking out people’s homes following them home, which locals say is adding to the fear felt by law-abiding citizens.

A serious spike in robbery reports shared by the police was observed in March. Since the 8th of the month, police have confirmed back-to-back robberies, often with a new victim being hit several nights in a row.

On March 22nd police revealed three back-to-back attacks by armed men; one in the Lower Bight on March 21 around 9 p.m., where a man was robbed of his car and other valuables. Two more were recorded on March 22 at 1:56 and 3:28 a.m. respectively; the first in Kew Town where a man was followed home and robbed; and the second where a man was robbed at his home, both committed by four armed men. 

On March 15 police again revealed that a man was robbed by two males in Kew Town after midnight and a woman robbed by four men less than two hours later. 

On March 14 three armed men robbed a Crockpot kitchen on Leeward Highway. The day before that two armed men robbed Gabriel’s restaurant located along Airport Road around 9:38 pm.

On March 12 police confirmed the 10 a.m. robbery of a woman at a gaming lounge; that incident followed the March 11 holdup on another woman at gunpoint. Before both of those was a robbery at 2:45 a.m. the Friday prior when a man was accosted near Dock Yard by five armed men

“Sounds like a SAS unit needs a vacation” said one resident on the most recent robbery post shared by the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police, highlighting the frequency of the reports.

With the increasing random hits, residents are antsy and some want more personal protective measures. 

Head of Crime, Safeguarding and Public Protection Superintendent Dean Holden has advised, “In light of recent incidents in Providenciales, I wish to emphasize the importance of staying aware of your surroundings and taking the necessary precautions to ensure personal safety. 

“If you believe you are being followed, please do not panic. Remain calm and drive to a well-lit, populated area or the nearest police station. It’s crucial to avoid stopping in isolated or poorly lit areas or driving home. 

“Immediately dial 911 and, if possible, try to obtain a description of the vehicle following you and its license plate number. Above all, prioritise personal safety. I want to assure the public that the RTCIPF is actively monitoring the situation and remains committed to ensuring all citizens’ safety and security.” 

Residents are asking, “So when are you guys going to legalize tasers? Pepper spray for public use?” One asked. A different resident took it even further “Why don’t they give law-abiding citizens the right to bear arms?” He questioned. 

Others wanted more proactive measures like the removal of vegetation in which criminals are known to hide in wait for their victims.

At least one suspect has been held regarding stolen property, Demetrie Williams, 32, of South Caicos. He was remanded in custody following a court appearance on March 15 two days after he was allegedly caught handling stolen goods. 

So far police have not managed to sniff out the armed thieves though it was said, the RTCIPF are actively investigating three armed robberies.

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Crime

American Tourist Beaten in Turks and Caicos, suspect out on bail

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Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer 

#TurksandCaicos, March 24, 2024 – A tourist woman was left with severe bruises and possible visual impairment and hearing loss, after being beaten by a man, while on a birthday trip in the Turks and Caicos. 

The reason behind her assault is unknown, and it’s now public concern among Turks and Caicos residents as well as tourists, that there are people out there willing to physically abuse someone, especially to this degree. 

The victim, Suyapa Ramos from New Jersey, who describes fighting for her life, was interviewed on abc7NY and she detailed the events leading up to her assault.

She expressed she was at a bar the last night of her trip and after hours, ready to go back to her hotel, was trying to find a taxi with little luck.

“I believe after about 10, they (taxis) don’t run, and that was something that I found out the hard way.”

Ramos continued, highlighting that she met someone who said he was a taxi driver and took his word for it.  In fact, people at the bar seemingly knew the guy by the name of Davidson Martin, which to her was even more reason to trust she would be safe.

On their way to the hotel, she claimed he suddenly attacked her in the car, the scariest thing she’d ever had to encounter, she said. 

While Martin mercilessly beat Ramos, he reportedly made growling sounds, she explained in her interview.  And, contrasting to public opinion, Ramos says he didn’t make any sexual advances.

Fortunately Ramos, 48 years old, was able to escape and Martin, 29 years old, was arrested two days later. 

A police release informs that Ramos arrived at a health facility on Sunday March 10 and on March 13th, Martin was arrested by Safeguarding and Public Protection officers under sections 10 of the Offenses Against the Person Ordinance.

The release says he appeared before a Magistrate on March 15th, 2024, and charged with one count of Inflicting Grievous Bodily Harm. 

While officials have not commented publicly on the incident, the TCI public wants it to be known that the attacker was not a taxi driver. The man arrested, charged and released is an illegal jitney operator.

Illegal jitney drivers are not licensed and their drivers are unregistered and therefore unknown to the public service drivers’ regulator.

Warnings are currently in effect about use of these illegal modes of transport, despite their enormous popularity and convenience, especially to people who need to get around at night.

For the Turks and Caicos, a sought after tourist destination in the Caribbean, this is another stain on its reputation as the past two years has seen an increase in crime rate per capita, from low numbers, to numbers that now rival those of some of the most violent places in the world. 

Tourists are being attacked in their villas and just recently, a family was held at gunpoint, the father robbed of over $20,000 thousand dollars worth of cash and jewelry. 

Despite these unfortunate developments, the Turks and Caicos is seeing record breaking numbers in arrivals, up nearly 13 percent, for the first two months of 2024, according to a report by the Ministry of Tourism, released this week. 

 

UPDATED

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