Five cops rape exotic dancer ...... reactions

A horrible gang rape by 5 members of the law enforcement agents has rocked Jamaica when it came to light on radio during the Ragashanti afternoon program firstly on Nationwide Radio. The public has been responding angrily in support of the victim despite her activity at the club which recently changed management. Exotic dancer and commercial sex work have long since been looked at as taboo over the years and frowned upon by some especially the religious community. The cops were said to be on tactical training and were slated to graduate soon.

Here is the Star News take on it:

Cops under probe for dancer's rape


Rasbert Turner, Star Writer

An investigation has being launched in reports that five policemen raped a woman at an exotic club yesterday.

THE WEEKEND STAR learnt that the implicated policemen, all from the St Catherine North Division, have been removed front-line duty.

It is understood that the policemen went to the club, located in Spanish Town, St Catherine, about 12:30 a.m. Some of the policemen stayed inside and search patrons while five allegedly carried out the criminal act during the search. Reports said the dancer was taken to the rear of the building where it is alleged by the victim that the policemen took turns raping her.

"I was so shocked that I could not scream," she said while crying yesterday. The victim further said that a gun was held to her head and she was raped.

Workers at the club claim that they were also shocked by the incident. "...The girl no deserve that not because wi a dancer," another exotic dancer said.

ENDS

My notes:

On a radio interview on Nationwide Radio Princess Brown today President of the Sex Workers Association was outraged and said it was not the first time cases such as this occurred but not with such coarseness and horror, she said victims sometimes go quietly recovering on their own and without reporting the matter out of fear. She said the cops would visit bars and exotic clubs and sometimes intimidate dancers telling them it's illegal then blackmail them for sex or money in exchange for avoiding arrest.

Sharon (name changed) said the cops came at 1:30am and demanded they kept their hands up for a long period, they searched the men and then proceeded to search the lockers of the ladies of the night, they took small items including scissors, she complained the police women were abusive, there were seven women according to her as an eyewitness. There was a bus load of police officers who were supposedly on tactical training and were to graduate from the course today February 18th. Sharon continued that the police were very abusive and she realized that the rape victim was missing after the search and abuse ordeal happened. The supervisor for the dancers asked her what was up and she was trembling and said she couldn't say until after the cops left. The condoms that were used were left on the scene which was outside at the second bar which is not visible to the main building. The police officers were said to be masked and their identification numbers were covered. Some of them had no mask but no numbers at all visible to identify them.

The victim when questioned after the cops departed she outlined where the incident took place by the outside bar. The chef who was on the inside who could see the place better was forcibly removed by the cops and told not to look, the owner for the bar was also kept at bay from the area. Sharon surmised that the victim was picked because she happened to be outside at the time, young and attractive a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, she is said to be twenty two years old.

Miss Kadasi Levermore Jamaica AIDS Support for Life's Executive Director said the positive piece is that the girls were committed to report the matter in order to take action, "it's quite unfortunate the men who were involved are to protect and sworn to do so ..... violating human rights" she continued men like to take on gender roles and they want to discriminate against dancers and similar typed stereotype. She asked for all the stake holders to come forward to find solutions.


Ivan Cruickshank Programs manager of Caribbean Vulnerable Communities, CVC said the Sex workers workshop held earlier last year had similar stories and that the legal systems support this kind of behaviour in the form of the law that criminalizes commercial sex work they the cops go in under the guise to effect abuse. They engage sex workers after not being satisfied or comforted enough by the services offered. He said Caribbean Vulnerable Communities, CVC asked the sex workers to mobilize themselves and also on several occassions asked government to condemn such violence.


The Spanish Town police has taken statements from other dancers at the venue and they have offered counseling, the police force has not been having a great image lately with all kinds of happenings damaging the grounds made after the Tivoli Incursion and the little trust they were able to re-establish. Fortunately these animals were not allowed to graduate into the police system as God knows what they would have unleashed on the public in the name of the uniform, the abuses from cops is almost common place outside of sexual abuse and sadly female police officers were present during the operation at the club who while not present on the rape scene according to an interview done by Nationwide on February 17th were abusive to the other girls condemning them as worthless and the usually lower denominator language.

UPDATE: Feb 19th

A letter in the Gleaner condemning the incident was penned by the National Organization of Women - Unforgivable Act:

THE EDITOR, Sir:

The National Organisation of Women is appalled and disgusted at the allegation of the gang rape of a young dancer by five policemen in St Catherine on Wednesday night.

That policemen who have sworn to uphold the law and to protect the citizens of Jamaica may have been involved in the gang rape of a young woman is unforgivable, and these men must be severely dwelt with, if found guilty.

This country needs to send a strong message to all members of the police force that we, the citizens of Jamaica, are not to be ill- treated nor abused. Policemen carry weapons and move in groups and are given awesome authority and power.

Rape is the act of weak men who simply get off on power and control. To engage in gang rape is the ultimate act of a pack of cowardly and dastardly men!

Watching very carefully

We, the National Organisation of Women, will be watching this case very carefully. We want the full extent of the law thrown at these men, if convicted. We are deeply sorry for the young women who had to endure this appalling assault. We commend her for her bravery in coming forward.

We also hope that the other policemen will protect this young woman and the other women who work at this and other nightclubs. It will be up to them to show that they are cut from a different cloth and that they will not stand for this type of behaviour from anyone, even their own colleagues.

I am, etc.,

SALLY PORTEOUS

General Secretary

National Organisation of Women

sally.porteous@gmail.com

ENDS

I hope the victim will be allowed to recover with all the assistance and support available.

Peace and tolerance.

H

Female Condom (FEMIDOM 2) recommended for Gay Sex

Ringonit.org has launched a social media blitz on the use of the Female Condom also known as FEMIDOM for anal sex, this is not new in fact in the days of GLABCOM (Gay Lesbian Bisexual Community) meetings a Jamaica AIDS Support for Life and also through the Ministry of Health PLACE (Priority for Local AIDS Control Efforts) Program there was some targeting of MSM populations in adopting the Femidom for gay sex use. It did not take off as many had thought as the condom was thought to be too big and cumbersome and may take away from the pleasure of a tight ass. Many felt they were screwing a big balloon bag instead of getting a real good fuck. Any way here are some excerpts from their upcoming campaign along with a link to their video.

Female condoms (FCs) help prevent unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV. They are a great safer sex option that can be used by both women and men for vaginal and anal sex. In terms of effectiveness, female and male condoms are equally effective, when used consistently and correctly. FCs are unique because they are the only barrier method that can be initiated by the receptive partner, which helps women and men take control of their own health.

Just like male condoms, FCs are shaped like an open-ended tube. The main difference is that female condoms have two rings, instead of just one! There’s a removable inner ring and an attached outer ring. Theinner ring must be kept in during vaginal sex, but for anal sex, keeping it in is a matter of taste. The outer ring helps protect against STIs that are spread by skin-to-skin contact, like herpes, because it covers more surface area around the vaginal or anal opening, depending on what type of sex you’re having.

Another bonus is that the FC is made out of a synthetic rubber called nitrile, which is hypo-allergenic. This makes FCs a great option for people with latex allergies. Nitrile can also be used with any kind of lubricant. This is different from male latex condoms, which can only be used with water-based lubricant.

The picture on the left is of the first generation female condom (FC1) and the picture on the right is of the second generation female condom (FC2). The FC1 was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1993. It is no longer in production, because in March 2009, the FDA approved the FC2, the new and improved edition!

There are different positions you can use to insert the FC. For example, you can squat, lie down, or support your body on your hands and knees.

		Squeeze the inner ring between your thumb and middle finger.
		Insert the inner ring into the anal opening, using your index finger to guide it.
		Once the ring is part way in, put your finger inside the condom and gently push it into the anal cavity. The inner ring should be inserted past the sphincter; however some people chose to remove the inner ring once the condom has been inserted. It’s just a matter of taste.
Make sure the FC is not twisted and that the outer ring is outside of and covering the anal opening. Another method for anal use is to remove the inner ring, put the FC over and erect penis or a dildo, and then enter the anus. As always, you should use a lot of lube and enter the anus slowly. After the condom is inserted, more lubricant can be added to the inside of the condom and to your partner’s penis. When you and your partner are ready for insertion, hold the outer ring in place as you guide your partner’s penis into the FC. To remove the condom, twist the outer ring to keep the semen inside, gently pull it out, and throw it away. Why condoms are important Using condoms every time you have sex is the most effective way to protect yourself and your partner from sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV, and unintended pregnancy. If you are sexually active, or think that you may become sexually active, be sure that you always have condoms on hand. Although talking about condoms can be uncomfortable, open communication is very important. It only takes one unprotected sexual encounter to contract HIV or another STI. Respect your body and your partner’s body and use a condom every time you have sex. How to talk to your partner about using condoms When you talk to your partner about condoms, you should be firm and make your expectations clear. If possible, have this discussion ahead of time, rather than in the heat of the moment. If your partner doesn’t want to use a male condom or is allergic to latex, you can suggest the female condom (FC). Check out our feel-good reasons to use FCs and share them with your partner. (Link to feel-good section.) Sometimes one partner can pressure the other to have unprotected sex. Here are a few things that someone who does not want to use a condom might say, and some suggestions for how to respond. Your partner says: Sex doesn’t feel as good when I’m using a condom. You can say: If we use a condom, I’ll feel more comfortable, which will make the sex better for both of us. Plus, you’ll last longer if we use one. Your partner says: I thought you trusted me. You can say: It’s not a matter of trust. People can have STIs and not know. Your partner says: I promise I’ll pull out. You can say: Pulling out won’t protect either of us from STIs. Plus, condoms are much better at preventing pregnancy. Your partner says: Condoms aren’t sexy. You can say: I think that protecting each other’s bodies while we make love is much sexier than getting chlamydia or HIV. Your partner says: But I love you. You can say: Then you’ll help me protect myself. Your partner says: But we’ve never used a condom before. You can say: I’m not going to take any more risks. Your partner says: No way. You say: Then no sex. See the demo video on YOUTUBE (embedding disabled so you have to go directly to view)

Stigma And Discrimination - Challenges To Development

Dr Glenda P. Simms,

In November 2010, UNAIDS released its report on the global AIDS epidemic. This very important and eye-opening report has provided the needed information for every nation to revise and reaffirm the world's commitment to conquering the scourge of the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

The report highlighted the following concerns which were addressed by significant numbers of the nation states that report periodically on a number of human-rights issues to the United Nations.

Stigma and discrimination in health-care systems continue to adversely affect access and provision of services to citizens who are either vulnerable to or affected by HIV.

It was noted that in Central and South America, some health-care deliverers are likely to deny services to high-risk population groups such as sex workers and men who have sex with men. This situation is also relevant to African societies such as Lesotho, Mozambique and Senegal, where stigma and discrimination continue to be barriers to citizens who need a range of health-care services including HIV testing and treatment.

The United Nations-designated organisations responsible for monitoring the HIV/AIDS pandemic also hear horrendous stories of violence against and murder of individuals who are suspected of homosexual orientation and practice.

The continuing global culture of intolerance, stigma and discrimination calls for all nation states to involve persons living with HIV and those who are identified as most vulnerable in all national efforts to fight the disease. The 2010 Global Report has noted that 96 per cent of countries which contributed to the information that is highlighted involve people living with HIV in meaningful ways in their country policies.

The report also highlighted the negative effects of punitive legislation and policies on the ability of persons with HIV or those who fall in vulnerable groups to access HIV-prevention programmes, treatment, appropriate care and access to all services that would guarantee their dignity and inherent human rights. Some of these laws are very explicit in many parts of the world. In some societies, same-sex consensual relations are criminalised; in others, homosexuals run the risk of getting the death penalty for having sex with a same-sex partner. Furthermore, some societies restrict or prevent the entrance across their borders of individuals who are HIV-positive.

Another vulnerable group that is affected by punitive legislation is sex workers.

Fossilised legislation

While it is a fact that more and more countries have been systematically removing such fossilised legislation, there is still a concern that without mechanisms to record, document and address cases of discrimination experienced by people living with or vulnerable to HIV, the stated problems will still remain. In fact, the global review has revealed that support systems such as legal-aid services are more available in First World or high-income countries, while the lower middle-income and the poorest societies continue to lag behind in the access to services, even when the discriminatory legislative framework is cleaned up.

In the ongoing global discourse on the HIV/AIDS pandemic, the issue of gender equality has been finally placed on the front burner. This focus is in line with the achievement of many of the Millennium Development Goals. In particular, it is a challenge to nation states to demonstrate the progress towards the achievements of gender equality and the empowerment of women.

The 2010 UNAIDS Global Report reminds us that gender relationships and the response to HIV/AIDS differ from region to region and from country to country. However, in spite of these variations, the following realities must be addressed in every nation state:

Power imbalances between men and women at all levels of society.
Harmful gender norms which have been ingrained in both the private and public spheres.

The relationship between the spread of HIV and gender-based violence.

The impact of poverty on women and their children.

The marginalisation of women in the political process.

The need for greater access to education for both girls and boys.

In an effort to demonstrate the urgent need for gender equality as a plank of development, the report forcibly stated that "in nearly all countries in sub-Saharan Africa and certain Caribbean countries, the majority of people living with HIV are women, especially girls and women aged 15-24 years".

In 2010, the local UNAIDS office convened a stakeholder meeting in order to identify the linkages between the global concerns about the HIV/AIDS pandemic and the local vision for change in the Jamaican situation. This interactive and spirited meeting agreed on the need for a holistic approach to the pandemic. The participants underlined the need for the Jamaican Government and the various non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that are partnering to make a difference at the levels of the individual, the family and the community.

These stakeholders came to the conclusion that even though the data show that in Jamaica and the Caribbean the epidemic is declining, the reality is that the gains are fragile. The following priorities were, therefore, identified for the approaches in 2011.

A holistic approach that integrates a gendered analysis in all HIV programme is an immediate necessity.
A partnership framework must be identified if the pandemic is to be effectively managed.
Leaders of government agencies and NGOs must be held accountable in all HIV/AIDS initiative.
Stigma and discrimination must be addressed in clear and non-ambiguous terms by both government and non-government actors.
All laws that impinge on the human rights of any sector of the Jamaican society must be repealed in a framework that respects the inherent human rights and dignity of every citizen.

In line with these discussions, the issue of the HIV/AIDS pandemic should be seen as a prime-time issue for Jamaica in 2011.

Dr Glenda P. Simms is a gender expert and consultant. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com.