Sex offender who destroyed a family’s lives jailed for 16 years
News | April 12, 2023
A sex offender whose actions “destroyed” his victim’s family has been jailed for 16 years. Maleke Martin, 26, was sentenced yesterday to 13½ years in prison on one count of sexual exploitation by a person in a position of trust and 16 years on another count of sexual exploitation by a person in a position of trust. He also received six years for showing offensive material to a child.... Read more
Jail sex offender for up to 37 years, says prosecutor
News | April 6, 2023
A prosecutor has called for a man convicted of sexual offences against two young sisters to receive a deterrent sentence. Locksley Cummings, 43, was found guilty by a Supreme Court jury in February of five charges, including multiple counts of sexual exploitation relating to incidents that took place between 2007 and 2021. At a sentencing hearing yesterday, Cindy Clarke, the Director of Pub... Read more
Child advocates join forces to prevent sexual abuse
News | April 4, 2023
The welfare of children and their protection from abuse are to be spotlighted by two major charities throughout April. The campaign brings together the child sexual abuse charity Scars with the Family Centre, and includes a televised discussion on April 10. Debi Ray-Rivers, executive director of Scars, said the children’s advocates wanted to send “a clear message that bei... Read more
A shameless attempt to excuse the offender
News | April 3, 2023
If we keep in the forefront of our minds that the management of sex offenders in Bermuda is purely about protecting children, if we understand that the average person does not just wake up one day and decide they are suddenly aroused by a child, then we should be outraged and deeply concerned for the innocent and vulnerable in this country. If we do not provide the most effective treatment —... Read more
SCARS: “Because I Am A Child Campaign”
News | March 31, 2023
The month of April is recognized as Child Abuse Prevention Month, and SCARS will be launching their child protection awareness campaign ‘Because I am a Child’ on April 3rd. SCARS Executive Director, Debi Ray-Rivers explains, “Because I am a Child Campaign is critical within our community. SCARS wants to send a clear message, that being a ‘child’ should be reason enough to j... Read more
Convicted sex offender found guilty of inappropriately touching two girls
News | March 4, 2023
A convicted sex offender has been found guilty of inappropriately touching two schoolgirls. Magistrate Khamisi Tokunbo found Shuja Amon Muhammad, 48, guilty of touching the girls for a sexual purpose between August 1 and September 30, 2021. The girls, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, are still both under the age of 14. During the trial on On Thursday, the court heard that... Read more
Jury finds man, 43, guilty of sex offences against sisters
News | February 14, 2023
A 43-year-old man has been convicted of a series of sexual offences against two young sisters. Locksley Cummings was found guilty by a Supreme Court jury yesterday of five charges relating to incidents that took place between 2007 and 2021. However, the jury also found Cummings not guilty of two offences relating to one of the victims. Puisne Judge Shade Subair-Williams remanded Cummings... Read more
Anti-sexual abuse charity calls for tougher sentences
News | January 23, 2023
A charity dedicated to stopping the sexual abuse of children has called for stronger sentences after a convicted sex offender was found guilty of a new offence in Magistrates’ Court. Debi Ray-Rivers, founder and executive director of Saving Children and Revealing Secrets, questioned the level of treatment received by Shuja Muhammad, who was last week found guilty of intruding on the privacy ... Read more
Man jailed two years for sexually exploiting young boy
News | January 16, 2023
A man convicted of sexually touching a young boy has been sentenced to spend two years behind bars and has been placed on the sex offenders list. Ismaila Darrell, from Warwick, was found guilty of sexual exploitation in 2021 after a trial in Magistrates’ Court, with magistrate Khamisi Tokunbo finding that he had touched the child on at least three occasions between September 2016 and Septemb... Read more
SCARS Says ‘Thanks’ On Their 11th Anniversary
News | October 27, 2022
Today [Oct 27] marks the 11th anniversary of of Saving Children and Revealing Secrets [SCARS] being granted charitable status and the organisation extended their thanks to all involved and said they “will never cease in our efforts to protect the innocence of our future generations.” A spokesperson said, “Today marks 11 years of Saving Children and Revealing Secrets! With sincere gratitu... Read more
Kayakers Event To Raise Money For SCARS
News | September 29, 2022
Kayakers and paddleboarders will complete a loop of the island this weekend in aid of a child sexual abuse prevention charity. The seventh annual Kayak For Kids event will raise funds and awareness for Saving Children and Revealing Secrets [SCARS]. Thirty-four kayakers and two paddleboarders, followed by three jet skis and three support boats, including the Bermuda Coast G... Read more
Laws strengthening child protection now fully in place: AG
News | July 20, 2022
Legislation intended to strengthen child protection laws came has come into force, the Attorney-General said today. Kathy Lynn Simmons, the Attorney-General and the Minister of Legal Affairs, said that Part 5 of the Child Safeguarding (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2019 came into force on Friday when the House sat. Ms Simmons said: “The safeguarding and promotion of the welfare of our chi... Read more