The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ministry says it’s been formally notified by its Bahamian counterpart of an investigation into the alleged rape of a Jamaican woman by a Bahamian Immigration Officer.
The Bahamian immigration officer at the centre of the rape accusation has reportedly been placed on administrative leave, pending the outcome of the investigation.
He’s reportedly a well-decorated public servant in the Bahamas.
Ironically, he’s also an advocate against the abuse of women.
A Jamaican freelance journalist based in the Bahamian capital, Nassau, Noelle Nicolls, has been tracking the story.
Ms. Nicolls says there’s been mixed reactions to the allegations in the Bahamas.
But she says the Bahamian government has issued a strong statement that it’ll not tolerate any such abuse as is being alleged.
In a statement this afternoon, the Jamaican Foreign Affairs Ministry says it’s told the Bahamian authorities it’s looking forward to the strongest possible measures being taken to investigate the alleged violation.
It’s also requested that the Bahamas takes all necessary measures to ensure the safety of the alleged victim and her family.
News of the alleged rape surfaced in the local press last week.
The Jamaican woman claims she was assaulted shortly after she and eleven other women were detained on December 13, during an early morning raid at a bar in the Bahamian capital.
They were detained on suspicion of solicitation.
The Jamaican, who’s reportedly a legal resident of the Bahamas and married to a Bahamian, claims the incident took place at the home of the immigration officer.
In the meantime, the Foreign Affairs Ministry says there’s been telephone contact between Minister AJ Nicholson and his Bahamian counterpart, Fred Mitchell.
It says the Honorary Consul of Jamaica in the Bahamas, Patrick Hanlan, has been in close contact with both the Bahamian authorities and the Jamaican woman.
She’s reportedly indicated that she’s reasonably comfortable at this time.
The Foreign Affairs Ministry says Mr. Hanlan continues to monitor the situation and provide consular support and advice.
Meanwhile the Jamaican Government is appealing to its nationals who’ve experienced abuse in the Bahamas to come forward and tell their story.
State Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Arnaldo Brown, made the appeal in an interview with Nationwide News this afternoon.
Minister Brown says there’s no truth to claims that the Jamaican government is slow in responding when its nationals encounter difficulties overseas.
According to the State Minister, the Simpson Miller administration is intent on ensuring that the Jamaican woman at the centre of this sexual assault matter in the Bahamas, receives justice.
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