National

Christian Council Leader On Marital Rape Statistics

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – One in 12 women, or approximately 4,000 women, have been raped by their husbands, according to the findings of UB study.

Published

3 years ago

October 13, 2022

Megan Shepherd

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – One in 12 women, or approximately 4,000 women, have been raped by their husbands, according to the findings of a University of The Bahamas study. President of The Bahamas Christian Council, Bishop Delton Fernander is weighing in.

A recent study by the University of The Bahamas exploring the prevalence of spousal rape in the country, suggesting that around 6,000 wives claimed to be the victims of sexual abuse. President of The Bahamas Christian Council, Bishop Delton Fernander tells reporters these statistics are “horrific”.

The Christian leader says he doesn’t want to sum the issue up to dysfunctional marriages, but he admits that there is work to be done.

Bishop Fernander says you can’t just write legislation and hope for change. It must start with changing the minds and hearts of people.

The former police officer is encouraging women to report incidents of abuse. He says putting it on the record can do more for victims than they think.

And, as it relates to other Christian leaders who have expressed their opinions, citing that martial rape is not “a thing”, Bishop Fernander says although he does not have the right to tell leaders what to believe, he has the job to make the best suggestion for the Bahamian society.