National

RISE Bahamas: “We’re Calling for the Maximum Penalty for Sex Crimes Against Children”

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – RISE Bahamas is calling for the government to impose the maximum penalty on those who commit sex crimes against children.

Published

12 months ago

July 13, 2025

Delvardo Emmanuel

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – It’s a concern that continues to haunt the nation – sex crimes against children.

And while many prefer to shy away from the conversation, RISE Bahamas is demanding real solutions.

During the last month’s budget debate, the minister of Social Services disclosed that some parents are allegedly exploiting their own children for financial gain, a gut-wrenching reality that RISE Bahamas founder, Terneille Burrows, says isn’t new, but needs to end.

Burrows says more must be done to protect minors especially with school out for summer and many children left unsupervised.

She’s calling on lawmakers to implement mandatory minimum sentences for perpetrators of sex crimes against children.

Still, Burrows admits there’s no easy fix; no one size fits all answer to keep every child safe.

But she says awareness, accountability, and harsher penalties are a critical start.