Speaking up for justice
News | July 4, 2019
To View Video Click Here Justice was served! Our hearts go out to this precious child who was so courageous and spoke her truth in a court environment that could be classified as intimidating, scary and which I feel is inhumane. I applaud her family and advocates, who not only reacted responsibly to this disclosure by reporting it, but also supported, affirmed and empowered the victim to ... Read more
Sex Offender Junius Caines To Be Released
News | June 19, 2019
Photo provided by the Government The Attorney-General has issued a “public notice of the impending release of sex offender Junius Carman Caines who will be released from Westgate on 24 June, 2019.” “Mr. Caines, a 50-year-old black male who will be residing in Pembroke Parish, was convicted and incarcerated for serious sexual assault,” the Government added. The Ministry s... Read more
Bishop Steps Up Child Protection
News | May 17, 2019
More than 130 members of the Catholic Church have taken child sex abuse prevention training after their leader made it mandatory for anyone who worked with young people, it was revealed yesterday. The Most Reverend Wesley Spiewak, Bishop of the Diocese of Hamilton, said he insisted that priests, teachers and others involved with children attended a session run by the charity Saving Children and R... Read more
Concern About Untreated Sex Offenders
News | May 16, 2019
More than 130 sex offenders, including 64 child sex offenders, have been released from prison in the past two decades, Department of Corrections statistics have revealed. However, a children’s rights campaigner claimed yesterday that almost 80 per cent of them, including 48 of the child sex offenders, were unlikely to have taken part in any treatment in jail. Sheelagh Cooper, founder and forme... Read more
Scars training for Kiwanis Club
News | May 6, 2019
Numerous members of the Kiwanis Club of St George’s have now received their certification after participating in a SCARS workshop.Shown in the photo (left to right, front row): Past Lieutenant Governor Altama Burgess, Director David Burgess, Past Treasurer Fanny Churm, Distinguished Past Lieutenant Governor Lily Oatley, and President-Designate Daron Lowe.Shown in the photo (left to right, back r... Read more
Child Abuse & Sexual Assault Awareness Month
News | May 2, 2019
In recognition of Child Abuse Awareness Month and Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Saving Children and Revealing Secrets [SCARS] and Centre Against Abuse [CAA] united to hold a joint event titled ‘Partner in Prevention’ on Friday, April 26. “SCARS and Centre Against Abuse recognized government departments that partner with them to put prevention mechanisms in place to decrease the risk of se... Read more
SCARS, CAA To Host Partner In Prevention Event
News | April 22, 2019
SCARS in partnership with Centre Against Abuse are collaborating to bring awareness to the heinous crime of sexual assault through their Partner In Prevention Event on Friday [April 26] starting at 5.45pm at BUEI. A spokesperson said, “April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Saving our Children and Revealing Secrets [SCARS] in partnership with Centre Against Abuse [CAA] are collaborating to... Read more
Sex-Abuse Survivor to Speak at BUEI
News | April 22, 2019
A child sexual abuse survivor who gave up his job as a police detective in the United States to support others will give an empowering talk in Bermuda this week. Kevin McNeil, the chief executive and founder of The Twelve Project, which aims to teach people about sexual abuse and raise awareness, is expected to share lessons from his own experiences that he hopes will inspire people who have suff... Read more
Charlton Case: Call for Shared Registry
News | April 4, 2019
A Bermudian convicted of possession of child pornography in the United States should have to register as a sex offender if he returns to the island, the head of a child sex abuse prevention charity said yesterday. Debi Ray-Rivers said it should be mandatory for Andrew Charlton and every other convicted child sex offender to register as a sex offender with the Bermuda Police Service, regardless of... Read more
Rate of Child-on-Child Sex Assaults Revealed
News | March 23, 2019
More than half the sex abuse cases reported to government watchdogs last year were child-on-child assaults, the Minister for Justice and Attorney-General has revealed. Kathy Lynn Simmons told the Senate that 51 per cent of sex abuse allegations referred to the Department of Child and Family Services in 2018 involved child-on-child abuse or sexual behaviour. Debi Ray-Rivers, the founder and execu... Read more
Video: Sex Offender Sentencing Discussion
News | March 13, 2019
Bernews will be hosting a News & Views panel discussion at around noon on today [March 13] with Debi Ray-Rivers from SCARS Bermuda and Charnika Jones from Advocates For Change set to discuss legal sentencing guidelines for child sex offenders and other related aspects pertaining to the very important topic of ensuring our children are safe. The trio will be discussing the matter with journali... Read more
12 Police Recruits Become SCARS Certified
News | March 12, 2019
Twelve Bermuda Police Service [BPS] recruits will be entering their policing careers SCARS certified. A police spokesperson said, “The Bermuda Police Service [BPS] has traditionally supported SCARS Bermuda by conducting that specific training delivered as a supplement to our normal training regime. “Since 2015, the BPS has had approximately 400 members of staff SCARS certified. “Today [Ma... Read more