Woman on "learn to sail vacation" raped. St Lucia seriously needs a wake-up call.

[Dulcesuenos]

Have heard of nothing but bad events to those traveling to St Lucia and now this.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/145653...rom-tour-firm/



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[TurninTurtle]

You hear of almost all of the bad events...

Actually when something is common it doesn't make the news.

What is bad about the story is the offer of a massage as compensation...

[AD28]

The 'SUN' is the UK equivalent to the US' 'NATIONAL ENQUIRER,' fwiw...

[Dulcesuenos]

Originally Posted by TurninTurtle

You hear of almost all of the bad events...

Actually when something is common it doesn't make the news.

What is bad about the story is the offer of a massage as compensation...

I think there is alot more bad in the story than just that.

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[Cottontop]

To be fair to St. Lucia, according to the story, 60 reported rapes last year. With a population of about 180,000, that's 0.0003.

Same ratio in US, 0.0003. (Source, FBI).

Same ratio in England and Wales, 0.0008. (Source, BBC).

I understand reporting problems, etc. and certainly not minimizing the crime. Just pointing out that this story, alone, should not justify fear of St. Lucia.

[sanibel sailor]

Originally Posted by Dulcesuenos

Have heard of nothing but bad events to those traveling to St Lucia and now this.

I've been there twice, including living a month outside "resort world" with no adverse events. Now you have heard something other than bad.

[MarkJ]

People gotta realise why there is so much Women Only stuff, Gyms, sailing, vacations..

Its nothing about your safety, it's about being able to CHARGE YOU MORE!

I was looking for a new day pack in a mountaneering store: Guys daypacks $85; Women's $95. I queried it and they said they are different shapes. I MEASURED them (every good cruiser has his tape measure) they were the SAME.

Women get ripped off by women and by Women Only stuff. It's a crap! You are a human. You are a target. Nothing more. Nothing less.


Mark

[cjsfsm]

This story says more about the booking and the villa than St. Lucia. Even so, the story is a valid topic to report.

[zeehag]

women only stuff is a trendy thing. this is also a cause for higher rates and higher risk.
buyer beware. always.
this is not a safe planet--there is always something.
the arrogance of offering a massage to counter a raping is not a reasonable response.
HOWEVER, it is as it is.
buyer beware and take care not to place self into positions of risk higher than you are prepared to accept. is like gambling more than you can afford to lose, only using your body and life to come as the betting medium.
wtf.
i did the risk thing and found myself returning home on other folks dimes as the situation became a lil off...
when something is uncomfortable for any reason, do not go there--escape. always have an escape plan. (usually known as plan c or d)

[reed1v]

Originally Posted by TurninTurtle

You hear of almost all of the bad events...

Actually when something is common it doesn't make the news.

What is bad about the story is the offer of a massage as compensation...

Wrong. What makes the news is someone who decided to go public. This is not uncommon down there. Rape of tourists was usually ignored by most of the islands' police for a long time. Price of paradise. Most white tourists did not want it publicized they were raped by black men. And then the she said/he said with he having a whole bunch of witnesses backing him up.
Nowadays things are somewhat different. Usually the rape leads to a missing person's report. Some places like Jamaica have gotten worse over time. So, solitary females needs to be extra cautious. Otoh, the carib is probably a lot safer than many other areas around the globe. Certainly a lot safer than many areas in the US.

[zeehag]

as most rapes are unreported forever, these numbers are low. they go unreported exactly for the reasons yáll mention above--the demeaning nature of treatment of the victim, who is always bashed for doing something wrong, even to wearing wrong night clothes in private.
the bashing should be done of the hotel/villa wherein the rapist was allowed free run, and the manner in which the victim was treated by all those from whom she sought assistance. and then insulted by the offer of massage and pedi,. gimme a break.
the bad thing is how the companies --yes both---treated the victim. unconscionably disrespectful of the victim and demeaning to women despite the allegedly female friendly advertising.
as a result of the treatment granted and the attitude towards rape in some locales, there is plenty reason not to go to those places until such time as females are universally considered higher in status than a camel or donkey. one can fear this or be aware always and take precautions by use of preventative measures.
how does one go about locking an unlockable door?? there are ways.
i hope the doctor is able to make way for other females not to experience her difficulties in a locale in which women are not treated same as in other areas of planet.

[TurninTurtle]

The idea behind the offer of a massage as compensation..

Really? A massage will make it all better?

What kind of low life came up with that idea? Is that what the normal compensation for rape is in that country?
The rapist gives a massage afterward and that makes it OK.

Sounds almost as bad as the Islamic countries where a woman is likely to get stoned for adultery if she complains about being raped.

[pickpaul]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

People gotta realise why there is so much Women Only stuff, Gyms, sailing, vacations..

Its nothing about your safety, it's about being able to CHARGE YOU MORE!

I was looking for a new day pack in a mountaneering store: Guys daypacks $85; Women's $95. I queried it and they said they are different shapes. I MEASURED them (every good cruiser has his tape measure) they were the SAME.

Women get ripped off by women and by Women Only stuff. It's a crap! You are a human. You are a target. Nothing more. Nothing less.


Mark

You should google mansplain. This is a classic example.

[wesevans]

Women need to be aware that many Island boys are used to women in vacation mode who are looking for an exotic experience and they do not take no for an answer. If you you are not looking for that experience do not let your self be alone with the home boy or in a place where you might expect to have a problem. Do not get drunk or stoned. pay attention to your surroundings. You are a tourist do not expect that the local police will do much about your situation. Be smart, alert and always practice situation awareness.

[Cottontop]

Originally Posted by TurninTurtle

The idea behind the offer of a massage as compensation..

Really? A massage will make it all better?

What kind of low life came up with that idea? Is that what the normal compensation for rape is in that country?
The rapist gives a massage afterward and that makes it OK.

Sounds almost as bad as the Islamic countries where a woman is likely to get stoned for adultery if she complains about being raped.

According to the story, it is the tour company in the UK that offered the massage. The woman that runs the tour company is also "strenuously disputing the claims made."