By Steve Thomas
Observer
Nevis Editor
James Hamm of Back Way Sandy Point, St. Kitts, has been charged with rape and remains in jail pending an application for bail.
According to police, Mr. Hamm broke into a home on Jan. 15 at Bath Village, Nevis, held a woman at knife point and sexually assaulted her. He was arrested and charged on Jan. 18.
If convicted, Mr. Hamm could face up to life in prison.
Among 65 countries with crime statistics provided by NationMaster.com, three nations in the Caribbean basin are ranked in the top 10 for incidents of rape. Montserrat is ranked No. 4, with .74 per 1,000 people, Jamaica is ranked No. 6, with .47 per 1,000 people and Dominica is ranked No. 8, with .34 per 1,000 people.
According to NationMaster.com, South Africa is ranked No. 1, with 1.l9 rapes per 1,000 people. The United States is ranked No. 9, with .30 rapes per 1,000 people. The United Kingdom is ranked No. 13, with .14 rapes per 1,000 people.
George Mason University in the U.S. has compiled worldwide sexual assault statistics. Based on a variety of surveys, some facts about rape include:
• One out of three women worldwide has experienced rape or sexual assault.
• In some countries, up to one-third of adolescent girls report forced sexual initiation.
• One preliminary study showed in eight different countries found a 24.7 percent rate of sexual violence in dating relationships.
• Studies show that 5-10 percent of men report a history of childhood sexual abuse.
• Hundreds of thousands of women and girls throughout the world are forcibly trafficked and prostituted each year.
• A report on seven different countries found that more than 60 percent of sexual assault victims know their attackers.
