Just a quick update regarding the following situation which some of us thought might have been a sexual assault: ""POLICE APPEAL FOR INFORMATION – ASSAULT IN THE MULE YARD, JAMESTOWNSt Helena GovernmentDuring the early hours of Saturday, 24 March 2018, an 18 year old woman was assaulted in the grounds of the Mule Yard, Jamestown. The motive for the assault is the subject of an ongoing Police investigation.A male has been arrested and charged in relation to this matter, he was remanded in custody by the St Helena Magistrates Court on Thursday, 29 March 2018.Detective Sergeant, David Honan, said:“This appears to be an unprovoked attack on a woman as she returned home having enjoyed a night out with friends. A male has been charged and remanded in relation to this matter. If you were in the wharf/seafront area of Jamestown in the early hours of Saturday morning, and you saw or heard anything suspicious or unusual, then I would ask you to come forward and speak to us. These sorts of events are thankfully rare on St Helena and we enjoy a very peaceful and safe Island on which to live.”
It has come to light that this was a physical assault, and that this is apparently why it has been reported, since sexual assaults never are. This behaviour, of reporting "lesser-assaults" (I am in no way denying that this was still truly horrifying for the victim) is continuing to play into the hands of the victim blaming culture when it comes to sexual assault, as they are never ever reported on. People on Island believe what they read - and if its not there, this fuels suspicion and disbelief further unfortunately. Its sad, because they have followed correct procedures in remanding the perpetrator in custody to protect others.....yet they allow accused serial rapists bail.....for up to two years in some cases.....seemingly that is not serious enough?? A man accused by at least 5 women granted bail due to conditions of prison ....yet this one, is remanded??
Also there is the fact that the current detective is now married to the Governor. This shouldnt, but could complicate things, and add to the corruption and cover- ups of serious sexual assault :(
I hope that this will not be the case....we are hoping word has got out, and that there has been a change of attitude in this situation. But we are as yet unconvinced, as this is not a case of sexual assault. And there is a well known phenomenon on the Island that people are treated depending on "Who they are and who they know" rather than ...."what they have done / are accusing" . This doesnt just apply to the justice system - this attitude reflects life in general whether it be in the work place, or anywhere. Status is seen as important in situations where it should not.
However, this is all we know so far ....this was not a sexual assault. Perhaps reporting them would begin to change some attitudes..even if just a few? Of course it gets complex with serious cases and Human Rights infringements of disclosing such things; but at the end of the day - no names have been mentioned in the above report whatsoever. So this shouldnt be the case....