Grenada PM disturbed by increase in sex crimes

GEORGE’S, Grenada, CMC – Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell has expressed concern about the growing number of cases involving sexual-related offences, particularly against minors.

Mitchell, who was responding to reports that a member of the police force was sent on leave pending the outcome an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct, also said he was extremely disturbed when cops are implicated.  

“I have a problem with people who will interfere with vulnerable people and people under age, the laws are strictly against this in a general sense, to me one has to have a weakness of the mind….”

According to reports, a senior cop was charged for sexual misconduct involving an adult female. 

That matter is presently before the court.

“I cannot tell people how to behave in their social life, that is for them and their God but certainly I believe we all have a responsibility to protect our children and those around us, and no one should be able to force themselves on anyone, so I have a problem with rape in any form, whether is a big person or a little one, I have a problem with people using their positions to impose themselves and their will on someone unwillingly,” he said.

Confirming that he has had conversations with persons closest to him about indulging themselves in activities that are legally prohibited, he said: “I always caution the men in my cabinet and my team that they have a responsibility to protect the children of the country. We are elected as representatives to protect them, not to use them, and I take that very seriously. I am no pastor, I am not a perfect person, but I certainly have some fundamental rules that I stick with and believe in,” he told reporters during the weekly post-cabinet briefing on Wednesday.

Without referring to any specific project, Mitchell, who is also the Minister for National Security said, “I support very strongly any initiatives to deal with those problems that will reduce it and cut it off completely, unfortunately, we do have some problems that we have to continue to confront.”

The police recently launched a special victim’s unit to focus on matters pertaining to domestic violence and sexually-related crimes.

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