Bermuda: Senator resigns after controversial remarks targeting youth | Loop Caribbean News - Loop Caribbean News

An opposition senator has resigned from Bermuda’s Upper House after comments he made during a debate that teenagers were inviting abuse sparked uproar on social media.

Marcus Jones, who was appointed a One Bermuda Alliance (OBA) senator after he lost a bid for a seat in the House of Assembly in Pembroke West during the 2020 general election, provoked widespread outrage over his intervention in an Upper House discussion of Teen Dating Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month.

In response to the controversy, OBA leader Cole Simons, who has yet to name a replacement, said: “To say I am saddened by the comments made by Senator Jones is an understatement. While it was not his intent to offend anyone, his words were perceived by some as hurtful towards young people, females, and victims of assault.

“As previously stated, I do not believe that he intended to be offensive, but as public servants, we are all accountable for the words we speak, whether they were well-intended, they are not always received as such. In the past, the One Bermuda Alliance has levied criticism against public servants who have used inappropriate language and our position has not changed.

“As a result, for the sake of Bermuda, Senator Jones has offered me his resignation and, with regret, I have accepted it. I have found him to be a man of principle and at this time, I would like to thank him for his time and commitment to the country and for the good work he has done in the Upper House,” Simons added.

The remarks come after Jones clashed with Lindsay Simmons, the Junior Social Development Minister, over the highly emotive issue.

The senators engaged in a heated debate about the hazards of social media and inappropriate images of young people leading to abuse.

Jones said there was imagery featuring teenagers online that would “absolutely make your hair stand on end” and asked about guidance given to mitigate the risks from social media.

Saying no one would call abuse deserved, he added: “I do believe our young people are inviting this type of behaviour because they are ignorantly getting on social media and putting themselves in harm’s way.”

Many Bermudians took to social media to share their thoughts on the remarks made by Jones.

One woman posted: "The former Senator's comments victim-shamed those who have experienced abuse, harmed how young men continue to see young women and were generally misogynistic and toxic..."

"I've been assaulted whilst wearing a business suit," another posted, "so can anyone tell me what dress code has to do with it?"

Another commenter posted: "I just want Senator Marcus Jones of Bermuda to know that domestic violence victims are never to blame for their victimisation...Your comments were ignorant and thoughtless."

Meanwhile, the Centre Against Abuse said the remarks were "absolutely shameful" coming from someone in his position.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the CAA said:

"I would hate to think that you are telling your young female family members that they are to be blamed if they are preyed upon because they were not in apparel that you find appropriate.
This is exactly why we have Teen Dating Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month, to ensure that teens are given the correct information. Unfortunately, victims of all ages have been abused dressed in burqas, business attire, athletic attire, and floor-length wedding gowns. Abuse is based solely on power and control and not clothing. This is why it is important that adults and teens need to be provided with the correct information on awareness and prevention.
Your opinion about victims of abuse is one of the reasons that Centre Against Abuse exists, as it is our mandate to bring awareness to end misogynistic, primitive ideology that forces victims to feel shame. and not report abuse."

The CAA further stated that the blame of abuse lies only with the perpetrator of the abuse, and this is the information that should be discussed with teens.

"Mr. Jones, I encourage you to contact our office 292-4366 to obtain training on abuse awareness," the CAA said.

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