During his address at the 120th Synod of the Anglican Diocese of The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands Bishop Laish Boyd stated his support for the criminalization of marital rape.
Boyd told congregants, “this movement is not designed to entrap anyone or to take away anyone’s rights or privileges. However, like all laws it is designed to provide protection where needed, where persons may be abused or vulnerable. In a relationship that is wholesome and balanced such a law will not be necessary. However, we know that there are relationships where this is not equality or mutual respect and where St. Paul’s injunction to husbands and wives in Ephesians chapter five is not followed.”
The Anglican Bishop also said, “there are persons who need the protection of the law. Your spouse or partner may not need it but there are some that do. Remember laws are devised not for the just and loving situation but for the times and places where injustice abounds and the vulnerable are abused and or disadvantaged.”
The government has been holding public consultation on the subject of the criminalization of marital rape for some time. A symposium for stakeholders was held in March of this year at the Breezes Resort.
