Categorized | National News

DNA Calls for Marco Legislation

The Democratic National Alliance (DNA) yesterday in a press statement said it is concerned about progress as it relates to Marco’s Law; the law, that over three years ago, was named in honour of the boy’s life who was brutally murdered more than four years ago.

The DNA said the government has yet to enact the legislation.

The party noted that National Security Minister Dr. Bernard Nottage called the legislation a key priority, however, the party said it has “seemingly fallen off his radar altogether”.

The legislation was accompanied by regulations which would dictate which cases warrant the activation of a Marco alert, and has gotten much support from the parliamentarians.

Further, under the law, the Commissioner of Police would be required to use the Marco Alert if a child is reported missing and authorities are satisfied that there is a risk of harm or death.

After issued, radio stations, television broadcasts, text message, electronic network system, billboards and other means necessary will be used for dissemination.

The DNA said sadly, as with countless issues on its legislative agenda, the government has failed to follow through.

“While the government continues to drag its feet on the creation of a sex offenders’ registry, the assault and abuse of our young boys and girls continues to occur at an astronomical rate. According to a recent report which focused on gender based violence, the abuse of children – physical, emotional and sexual – has become a cultural norm in the Bahamas, particularly in smaller family island communities,” the statement read.

“More than two thousand cases of child abuse were reported between 2010 and 2014 and officials estimate that number to be even higher due to the prevailing culture of secrecy and underreporting,” the statement continued.

 

“More than two thousand cases of child abuse were reported between 2010 and 2014 and officials estimate that number to be even higher due to the prevailing culture of secrecy and underreporting,” the statement said.

 

Marco’s badly decomposed body was found in bushes behind an apartment complex on Yorkshire Street, off Bay Street on the Cable Beach strip.

 

36 year old Kofhe Goodman was convicted of killing 11 year old Columbus Primary School student back in September 2011.

 

Goodman is currently on death row.

 

Written by Jones Bahamas

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