Warning: This article contains discussion of sexual assault which some readers may find distressing.
Two moms from Kentucky have shared a warning to tourists after surviving alleged sexual assaults on a beach in the Bahamas.
Amber Shearer and Dongayla Dobson shared their warnings after returning from a Carnival cruise vacation, during which they made a stop on Grand Bahama.
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While on the island, the pair took a taxi to a local resort in Freeport, where they ordered cocktails after being offered a two-for-one deal.
Before long, the women began to feel more intoxicated than they would have expected after their intake.
Speaking to NewsNation, Shearer said: “Less than a few [sips] into the second drink, we knew something was wrong. Something was terribly wrong."
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Videos the moms had sent to their loved ones back home showed they seemed to be highly intoxicated.
While on the island, the pair went to look for seashells to bring back home for their children.
A male resort staffer is said to have offered to show the pair the best spots to find shells, but the next thing Shearer could recall was waking up while she was being assaulted by a uniformed male resort staffer.
“I came to in the process of my rape,” Shearer claimed.
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The two women reported their attacks, and Bahamian authorities and other staff members at the resort were able to identify two men through surveillance footage.
The Royal Bahamas Police Force arrested the two men, a 40-year-old of South Bahamia and a 54-year-old of Eight Mile Rock, in connection to the sexual assault.
The two women underwent toxicology tests, but Shearer and Dobson have claimed local police did not administer proper rape test kits.
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When they received the results of their toxicology tests, the women learned they had multiple drugs in their systems after consuming the drinks, but almost no alcohol.
One of the drugs which showed up were benzodiazepines; a group of depressant drugs which are occasionally prescribed for sleeping problems.
The women also had bruising up and down their legs.
“To see the things that showed up on my [toxicology] screen was just traumatizing all over again,” Dobson said.
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Following their return to Kentucky, the two moms hired a lawyer and are undergoing medical care, including HIV prevention medication.
In a post on Facebook, Shearer explained that the pair 'want justice' and want to 'raise awareness for others'.
They issued a warning for other travellers, saying: "Be safe. Two is not a group. Do not buy any drinks that come unless they come in a sealed container, in a bottle."
Shearer and Dobson plan to take legal action against the resort and the men responsible, though they have also expressed anger with Carnival, which they claim failed to inform them of the US State Department travel advisory in place for the Bahamas.
The level 2 advisory was issued on 26 January, just over a week before the two women were allegedly raped.
The advisory warned US travelers to 'exercise increased caution' when visiting the Bahamas, citing violent crime including armed robberies and sexual assaults.
In a statement to UNILAD, Carnival said: "While ashore in Freeport, Bahamas on an independent shore excursion, two guests on Carnival Elation reported to Bahamian police that they were sexually assaulted at a local beach.
"Our onboard Care Team provided support for the two guests as they sailed back to Jacksonville. Bahamian police are investigating the matter and Carnival is providing our full cooperation."
The Royal Bahamas Police force stated: "We recognize the seriousness of such matters and handle them with the highest level of professionalism, privacy and sensitivity...
"Emergency Medical Services offered medical assistance to the victims, which they declined, signing a waiver and then leaving for their cruise ship in a private vehicle.
"Recognizing the gravity of the incident, our officers boarded the cruise ship, providing a sexual assault kit and hospital form to the ship’s medical doctor and obtained signed statements from the victims.
"The RBPF is collaborating closely with the FBI in this ongoing investigation. Woman Assistant Commissioner of Police, Ms. Shanta Knowles, who oversees Grand Bahama, is personally ensuring that the investigation is conducted with the utmost level of professionalism and care."
If you've been affected by any of the issues in this article, you can contact The National Sexual Assault Hotline on 800.656.HOPE (4673), available 24/7. Or you can chat online via online.rainn.org
Topics: US News, World News, Travel, Crime