Travel Securely Securely Travel
The Detroit Free Press recently released the results of their investigative report into sexual assaults which targeted tourists on vacation in Jamaica. On average, one U.S. tourist is sexually assaulted each month. The investigative report alleges efforts by the resorts to silence and pay-off the victims and cover up the crimes.
In Securely Travel’s country brief on Jamaica issued earlier this year we highlighted Jamaica as being unsafe. In 2018 there have been multiple declarations by the government for “State of Emergency” which gives government security forces the ability to stop, detain, question, search, seize, and deport without warrant. The rationale behind the state of emergency declarations is to attack head-on the ever increasing organized criminal elements.
Jamaica’s continual State of Emergency declarations have been discussed previously within Securely Travel – June 2018 declaration and September 2018 declaration – and serve to highlight and evidence that crime is a serious concern, and risk mitigation strategies should be factored into any and all travel plans to the island nation.
The Detroit Free Press reveals additional detail, specifically, calling out a number of high-end all-inclusive resorts including RUI and Sandals.
Victims of assault in Jamaica:
- The West Virginia family whose 18-year-old au pair told police she was sexually assaulted on July 4 at the Sandals-owned Beaches Negril Resort & Spa, alleging a resort bartender spiked her drink before a guest choked and raped her. She filed a police report and underwent a rape test. Surveillance video identified the attacker, she said, but no one was arrested. The host family was eventually paid and signed an agreement forbidding them from discussing the case.
- A New England family who said their 16-year-old daughter was raped in a bathroom at Beaches Negril resort in 2013, allegedly by a resort entertainer’s friend who had been given a guest pass. “In the end, we did sign something saying we won’t discuss it and they gave us a free week at another resort, which is little consolation for my daughter’s mental health,” the mother told the Free Press. “It would’ve been a nasty fight anyway.”
- An Atlanta mother who said she was sexually assaulted while in the ocean by a Sunscape Splash resort employee during a trip celebrating her 50th birthday in October. She said resort staff at the property, which is owned by AMResorts, manipulated her into not pressing charges, warning her the criminal process would be lengthy and expensive, and convincing her to “go home and forget about it.”
- A Kansas City woman who said she was sexually assaulted during a sailing excursion by a Sandals Ochi Beach Resort employee in October 2017. She stayed in her room for three days, but eventually reported him to the resort, which, she said, rushed her into signing a nondisclosure agreement in exchange for a $4,500 trip. “It was so fast — and they didn’t give me time to think about anything,” she recalled, adding police were never called. “I said, ‘Do I need to make a police report?’ They said, ‘No. You don’t need to do that. We’ll take care of everything.’ “
- A North Carolina couple whose honeymoon was ruined after a Sandals resort dancer named ‘Showtime’ allegedly sexually assaulted the wife on the dance floor, putting his hand up her dress, grabbing her genitalia and then forcing her hand on his private part to show his arousal. Sandals gave them a replacement, seven-night trip “as a goodwill gesture” and a complimentary couples’ massage. In return, the couple signed legal forms releasing Sandals from any liability.
The tales told, and the investigative reporting are sobering by any measure. While they highlight individual police officers and resort security personnel being disinterested, it should be noted that the Jamaican government knows they have a criminal problem and have created a Personal Security app as part of their national #StayCalmStayAlert campaign.
While we don’t know of any who have used the app, if one is going to Jamaica, then this app should be on your phone.
Securely Travel Advice
While millions of tourists travel to Jamaica each year and have uneventful trips, we advise travelers who do make the journey to follow some basic advice:
- Buddy system at all times.
- If enjoying the nightlife, don’t close the place down … many of the victims were among the last patrons within the establishment.
- Do your pre-trip research - Jamaican security agencies publish their advisories.
