Financial Crime World

Sexual Harassment Common in Saint Lucia: Survey Reveals Alarming Statistics

The Prevalence of Sexual Harassment in Saint Lucia

A recent survey conducted by the Saint Lucia National Crime Victimization Survey (SLNCVS) has revealed alarming statistics on the prevalence of sexual harassment in the island nation. According to the findings, at least one-third of victims of sexual harassment were females, while 17.6% were males.

Key Statistics

  • Gender Distribution: 81% of sexual harassment victims were females, while 19% were men.
  • Perception of Severity: 63.3% of respondents believed that sexual harassment was not serious enough to be reported.
  • Reporting Rates: 42% of respondents chose not to report incidents due to various reasons.

Other Types of Crime in Saint Lucia

The survey also highlighted the prevalence of other types of crime in Saint Lucia, including:

  • Gang-Related Activities: 25.2% of respondents had witnessed gangs gathering in their neighborhoods.
  • Drug Use and Sales: 48.3% had seen marijuana being consumed on the streets.
  • Violence in Public Spaces: A significant number of residents reported feeling unsafe in public spaces.

Impact of Crime on Daily Life

The survey found that a significant number of residents had changed their daily habits due to fear of crime, including:

  • Carrying Cash: 45.5% of respondents had stopped carrying large sums of cash.
  • Going Out at Night: 55.1% had avoided going out at night.

Recommendations

The findings of the SLNCVS 2020 report have raised concerns about the level of safety in Saint Lucia and the need for effective measures to address the issue of sexual harassment and other types of crime. To address this, we recommend:

  • Increasing Public Awareness: Increase public awareness and understanding of sexual harassment and its consequences.
  • Support Services: Provide support services to victims of crime.
  • Effective Measures: Implement effective measures to address gang-related activities, drug use and sales, and violence in public spaces.
  • Improved Reporting Mechanisms: Improve reporting mechanisms for crimes, including sexual harassment.