Statement from The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation

Nassau, Bahamas, June 13, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Royal Bahamas Police Force is investigating an alleged sexual assault of a Canadian visitor that occurred on Monday, June 12. The report indicates that shortly after 1:30 pm, the victim alleged that a male jet ski operator took her on a ride from Cabbage Beach to Athol Island off Paradise Island where he sexually assaulted her. The male jet ski operator then returned the woman to Cabbage Beach. The Royal Bahamas Police Force is aggressively pursuing this matter. The jet ski operator is in police custody and is said to be assisting them with the investigation.

The Ministry of Tourism and Aviation wishes to acknowledge the gravity of this situation, and to condemn this heinous crime. The safety of our residents and visitors is paramount.

Efforts have been made to implement stronger management of the jet ski industry in recent years, but more must be done. Combined efforts by the public and private sectors will be stepped up to ensure that our visitors can enjoy our water sports attractions without fear for their safety or well being. The Ministry of Tourism and Aviation is committed to working together with the Ministry of Transport to take extreme measures to implement stringent regulations for the water sports industry.

The Ministry of Tourism and Aviation can assure you at this juncture that The Bahamas does have an active policing program in place, particularly at beaches and tourist spots. A visible police presence and monitoring of select sites with CCTV are key components of our program to keep guests of The Bahamas safe. Not the least of these deterrent efforts is the commitment of the Royal Bahamas Police Force and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force to continually improve and strengthen their programs to ensure that no similar incidents affect future visitors.

Attachments:

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ead993e3-03e5-49d4-8111-e3daff5de009

Mia Weech-Lange
Bahamas Ministry of Tourism
954-236-9292
mlange@bahamas.com

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