Friday, 20th September 2024

Bahamas police offered no support to 2 American tourists who were drugged & raped on island

According to the reports, the women took to social media to share their ordeal. They said that they were enjoying a drink on the beach as their Carnival cruise ship was docked, but staff members of a resort drugged and raped them, following which the Bahamian authorities treated them like criminals.

Thursday, 8th February 2024

Two American women accuse police in Bahamas of misconduct following rape incident (PICTURE - Rape victims Amber Shearer and Dongayla Dobson)

Two American women who were drugged and raped in the Bahamas told their story on the social media. While crying, the women accused the Bahamas Police for treating them like criminals, and not providing any assistance whatsoever after the heinous crime occured.

The victims said that the detective in duty asked them to wait for EMS and also forced them to go to the bathroom to urinate and wipe away the evidence. The detective told them that if they wanted any justice, any rape kits or anything, they would have to visit a Bahamian hospital which meant they would be stuck there and would have to pay their way home. Long time friends Amber Shearer and Dongayla Dobson said they arrived in the Bahamas on Carnival cruise , and where enjoying their time at the Grand Bahama beach. During this, the resort staff members offered and two-for-one drink deal. The victims, said that the drinks felt extremely strong in first two sips, causing them to lose themselves.

Shearer and Dobson said that their families were also concerned when the duo appeared extremely intoxicated in the videos that they shared in just 15 minutes after having the drinks.

[caption id="attachment_67746" align="aligncenter" width="369"] Drink which the Americans had while on beach in Bahamas[/caption]

Amber said that she had the coconut while Dobson had the pineapple, following which they felt something was wrong as the drinks were too strong.

Following this, they took photos in the ocean and decided to look for seashells for their kids. Amber further added that she found a little piece of shell, and a staff worker approached her and said, "I know where tons of these are, and I will take you over there." She said that the man took them to a silent place where two other males were already waiting, and they raped them.

As the males ran away from that place, the victims rushed to a detective named Ashley Rollins and asked for cruise line doctors, but she refused them.

While asking the tourists not to have anything on the beach, Dobson said, "Spread the word, bring awareness. Don't drink the pineapple and coconut drinks, not even from Resort workers. Only sealed, bottled drinks!"

The incident has also been confirmed by an official from the office of the prime minister, who said that the alleged victims were visitors who made the initial complaint.

Following the incident, and sheer warning by the detective, the tourists went back to their cruise, where they were finally given their rape kids, toxicology tests and a breathalyzer. The breathalyzer confirmed that both of them were not drunk, and it was that drink which got them intoxicated, following which the men took advantage.

During an exclusive interview, the two females also urged the other tourists to stay safe and avoid travelling to the Bahamas.

Amber said, "I want people to be safe and people should not take any excursions which are not directly with the resort or cruise line you are booking."

Notably, the authorities have arrested two men, a 40-year-old male from South Bahamia and a 54-year-old from Eight Mile Rock, for this alleged incident following receiving the complaint on Sunday.

The incident comes at a time when the U.S. embassy has already issued a travel advisory on The Bahamas, cautioning its citizens to be safe and alerting the government to increase security measures as soon as possible. The victims also accused the cruise liner for not informing them about the travel advisory, and letting them fall victims to the dangerous crime.