Bahamas government to meet with church leaders this month on marital rape, minister says
Minister of Social Services Obie Wilchcombe said yesterday that the government would meet with churches this month to discuss marital rape.
“We are putting together the agenda now,” Wilchcombe said.
“We’re meeting with the attorney general’s office because all stakeholders must be included in our meetings.
“We’re planning that now with our meeting to deal with matters dealing with child protection as well.”
Wilchcombe said the amendment to the law would depend on the government’s dialogue with stakeholders.
“Where we are likely to go will depend on their involvement because we’re not going to conclude until we ensure that there is across-the-board support,” he said.
Activists have called on the government to “get on with it” and criminalise marital rape.
Section 3 of the Sexual Offenses and Domestic Violence Act defines rape as the act of any person not under 14 having sexual intercourse with another person who is not his spouse without consent; consent obtained by personating the spouse of that person; consent obtained by false representations, and with support which threats of fear or bodily harm have extorted.
Proponents of criminalising marital rape say the government needs to amend the act by removing the words “who is not his spouse”.
The Davis administration has committed to reviewing proposed legislation that aims to criminalise marital rape and bring gender equality to The Bahamas’ citizenship laws.
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