Meet Dr. Ralph E. Gonsalves: The Accused

This is Ralph E. Gonsalves, at the time of the publication of this article Gonsalves was at the end of his third term as prime minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and was in the process of seeking a fourth political electoral term. The way Ralph E. Gonsalves gained electoral power was questionable. He used lies, Bribery, and public disorder to destabilized the otherwise peaceful country.

Ralph E Gonsalves tackled the head of the nation's trade unions and offered their leader scholarship for those who had ambitions to acquire higher education, and prestigious post that pays high salaries as chairmanship and other positions on governments statutory bodies, etc. As a result the trade union leaders called for their members to join Gonsalves in his quest to make the country ungovernable. they organized public protest, blocking roads and other such things like that. By this time Sir. James Mitchell who was the Prime Minister and leader of the New Democratic Party, have become somewhat unpopular with the people.

This was mainly due to the lies that the then Leader of the parliamentary opposition: Ralph E. Gonsalves told and the fact James Mitchell had became somewhat careless with the way he began to deal with the people. During this time, I was General secretary of the police welfare association and Many police officers close to Ralph E. Gonsalves wanted me to join the other trade Unions in protest. However I refused for two reason.
1. I caught on to the lies that Ralph E. Gonsalves were selling the community and I even worked to uncovered some of those lies.
2. The police is the only means of order in this little Island. If this vital institution were to participate like the other workers representatives had who would have ensure those who were out there protesting were safe from harm.

A few months later Ralph E. Gonsalves gain political power via the ballots. Unfortunately this was the end of the, economic, social, moral and every other prosperity the country was experiencing. Then the allegations of rape were being discussed in close quarters, because people were afraid to accuse the Prime Minister of rape. Un till Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves try to have his way with a young constable by the name of Michelle Andrews. This is Michelle's story. It is estimated that over 200 Victims within St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Under Ralph Gonsalves St. Vincent and the Grenadines has been name in the top three countries for rape by the United Nations. In other words St. Vincent and the Grenadines is not a safe place for women.

Giving Ralph E. Gonsalves a fair shake

I have heard many unsupported sex related stories about Ralph E. Gonsalves. Stories that alleged that he sexually imposed himself upon many females, who did not solicit his sexual advances and did not appreciate them either. The fact that the stories are unsupported do not mean they are not true stories. However, it will be unfair to Mr. Gonsalves to make a determination about his character base on those stories.

I have had several alleged victims came to me and claimed to have had bad experiences with Prime Minister Ralph E. Gonsalves, where they claimed that PM Gonsalves allegedly imposed himself on them sexually. I will say here, there were no indication that the women did anything to suggest, to Mr. Gonsalves that it was ok for such to occur. It is also clear that the impositions was not solicited or welcome. The unsolicited and unwelcome sexual advancement which result in touching of private body parts, etc. is by law a felony, criminal sex offense. I will also make it clear here, that the category of the offences, has nothing to do with who, the office and or the social status of the person who is found in violation of the offence.

It is important to note, not because a person imposed themselves into a story, where they were a victim, means that the stories are true. But what will make so many women, pick on the same person? Why would they singleout the most politically powerful person in the country to fabricate such vicious story about? Why is it, there were/are no other political head in the history of St. Vincent and the Grenadines or other Caribbean country to have, similar claims brought against them?

It will also be good to note that a court of law, weather is have decisional administrative control by a judge or a judge and a Jury; cannot conclusively prove that a rape or any other incident was committed by an accuse; however, they arrive at a probability which is base on a scale that is 'beyond a reasonable doubt", (which mean the offence have happened, the suspect had opportunity and they also had just reason to commit the offence of the other way around) that the incident did or did not happen base on the magnitude of the evidence, that was put forward to support their decisions. The judge and the jury have to unscientifically determine, which of the witnesses are lying and which of the witnesses are speaking the truth. although the judge is only a train lawyer, the Jury is made up on regular citizens. And it is the opinion of these regular Joe's that is of consequence to the case. Let me reiterate this point before it is lost in the shuffle. No Judge or Jury can conclude without a doubt that an accused person committed an offence unless there is actual and claer video footage of the whole incident.

Another question I will like to asked here is: how could it benefit these women to publicly and lying whilst admitting that they were raped, inappropriately touch, kissed etc. by a person of the opposite sex?

After the female police officer came forward and accused PM Ralph E. Gonsalves of rape and sexual assault, a number of females came forward and also made allegations of rape against PM Gonsalve. It was at this time the prime minister held a press conference and threaten to sue anyone who made any such allegation against him; and having seen the ill treatment the female police officer met at the hands of the public, her colleagues and her superior; resulted in most of the Prime Minister's accusers withdrew, not their allegations, but from giving affidavit, outlining the details of their story. However a few women, who had alleged unlawful and unsolicited sexual wrong doing by the Prime Minister: Ralph Gonsalves, had already given sworn statements put their stories on paper in an affidavit.

It is also interesting that the Wikki Leaks, private USA government telegram that was leaked also said that a young lawyer who worked at the family court, in Kingstown, St. Vincent and the Grenadines also came forward and give a sworn statement alleging that she to was raped by Prime Minister Ralph E. Gonsalves.

Ladies and gentlemen in the court of public opinion, please examine the story below, make your determination and come to your conclusion.

Gonsalves Try to Discredit his Michelle Andrews

Like the bad habit of a habitual criminal, Prime Minister (PM) Ralph E. Gonsalves revealed his hand, in the same way many habitual criminal revert to old habit, when their backs are against the wall. It was like reliving 1973 events where allegations was made, by a University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus professor, to the Barbados police against Ralph E. Gonsalves. The Lady Professor alleged that her then PHD colleague now prime minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines: Ralph E. Gonsalves, sexually imposed himself upon her.

In an effort to defend his unlawful actions and to look like the good guy, Ralph E. Gonsalves fabricated some lies in an effort to belittle the honored, heroin’s character. He painting her to appear to be a whore who of her own free will slept with him. Yet some thirty (36) years after the incident would have happened, the woman who of her own free will in a sexual relationship with Gonsalves, came forward to report the events of the matter again, in support of Miss Andrews.

Some thirty six years later, Female Police Constable Michelle Andrews, was to suffer the same fate; at the hands of Ralph Gonsalve. The self-professed liar, came up with a 2 point plan to discredit this honored police woman’s character. The two point plan to discredit WPC Michelle Andrews were as follows.

1. He use the two previous and outstanding report which the police authorities have fail to properly investigate; to claim that Woman Police Constable Andrews have a history of making frivolous reports against her supervisor and therefore the January 3^{rd 2008 report was also a fraudulent report.}

2. He also spread the vicious dirty lie which was carried like hot bread by his supporters including police officer who had no evidence of such; to claim that Police Constable (PC) Andrews was carrying on a sexual relationship with him and was angry because she was not given what she wanted.

Can you see the trend here? The lady Professor who accused PM Gonsalves of sexually and inappropriately imposed upon her was alleged to have been carrying on a sexual relationship with the then Barbadian Prime Minister and she butt the PM with Gonsalves. Now WPC Andrews was having a sexual relationship with Him (PM Gonsalves). In the lady professor case it was consensual and in PC Andrews’ case his behavior was appropriate and expected because of the established sexual relationship Gonsalves and Michelle Andrews was known to have. In Ralph E. Gonsalves’ eyes, he is never wrong. As it was done to the Lady Professor so it was done to Michelle. Ralph Gonsalves’ lies continues.

Michelle's expectation from her fellow collegues

Of all the pressure, Michelle Andrews faced, in her pursuit for justice, when she made a report against her two supervisor who imposed themselves upon her sexually was nothing compared to that which she was confronted with, when she made the report against the Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. At the lease she though that the few Gonsalves strong hold with in the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force and then some would have generated some pressure upon her. At the lease, she would have received some support from the non-labor supporters; and those police officers who stood for Justice.

WPC Andrews will soon find out that what she went through when she made allegations of sexual improprieties against her supervisors was nothing when compared to that of making accusation of rape against the Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Michelle discovered there were three main types of people with in the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force. There were:
Those who had an invested interest in protecting Ralph Gonsalves and will go to any length to do so.
those who stand up for justice if there were nothing for them to lose
those who knew that what happened to her was wrong and did not want to get involved
those who knew what happen to her was wrong and refuse to speak to her for fear that they will be implicated as a Michelle Andrews sympathizer and be unjustly pressure for the same.
Then there was the pressure that came from the general public, mainly the supporters of the Unity labor party; many of whom may have:
Been given an unjust hand out in the pass and was hoping for more and therefore were willing to show their worth by publicly castigating this young strong Vincentian woman.
There were those who were promised many things which range from scholarship for themselves or for their children, Jobs, to be put on the welfare list etc. who wanted to prove their worth, even though they believed that Gonsalves did raped the young lady, by supporting Ralph Gonsalves and publicly calling the valiant woman a liar.
There were those who knew that the sitting Prime Minister Ralph E. Gonsalves has a problem with sexually imposing himself upon unsuspecting women; but they honestly believe that Gonsalves will not go that far as to rape a police officer.
There were those who did not believed the hundreds of rumors that they heard of Ralph E. Gonsalves raping several woman some of his alleged victims being of under age student very popular women within St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Michelle never thought that the pressure would have been so intense and stressful. After all she went through it twice before, but when you combined her two previous experiences with that of this one they were child's play.

Michelle was immediately transferred from Special Service Unit and place at Central police Uniform division where she was publicly ridiculed by supporters of the U.L.P who in my opinion was organized to seek her out and taunt her.

I was raped by Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves

It have been a short but a tiresome police journey in the life of Woman Police Constable (WPC) Michelle Andrews. She had to learn fast and she had to learn correctly. form the two sexual harassment report, she made against her supervisors; she quickly learn that the people within the organization, who have vowed to protect and to serve the citizen of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, who have sworn to so do without fear or favor, quickly renig on their vow to strength the hands of Justice. This all came into prospective when she reported two of her senior officer, the people who were entrusted with the responsibility to protect her rights; for violating the same.

Unfortunately for this constable; her colleague with whom, she shared a lot of beautiful memories and with whom she spend a lot of time, will all turn their backs on her; in her time of need and support. In her quest for her justice; this law enforcement officer will have to stand on her own in pursuit of her rights. The pressure she experience from her colleagues was comparable to that of a band of thieves working against one who have betrayed their life long standing secret and tradition. It was clear to PC Andrews, quickly learned; as a member of the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Service, whenever she was in trouble; she will have to stand alone.

On January 2 2008, it was just another ordinary day, for Police officer Michelle Andrews. WPC Andrews had two encounters that have vilified and demonized her. When she exercised her rights and filed to sexual harassment report against members of the Royal Police Force who have allegedly imposed themselves upon her.

Being a part of the Special Service Unit (SSU), WPC Andrews was expected to spend up to four days at the Old Montrose Police Station; the headquarters of the SSU, before she is allowed to see her family and friend on her day off. Her duty for the 3rd January 2008, would have begun at about 11:45 PM on the 2nd January, when she would be required to be paraded in the Yard at the Old Montrose Police Station to be assigned her duties and general briefing.

While WPC was on Duty, about 4:00 am in the morning, she was paid a special visit by the Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, who by this time know her by name. The Prime Minister is alleged to not be able to sleep and decided to take a walk; and how fortunate for PC Andrews she will have the pleasure to speak with the prime minister on a one and one basis. No one will ever believe how nice the Prime Minister is, was the thought that went through WPC Andrews head, that he will come down to speak to her.

After several unsolicited offers made to the Junior female police officer by the prime minister and WPC Andrews had great things to look forward to, it was not time to ensure that the young gullible police officer pay for the reward she think she is going to receive. On such promise was to cause the WPC to be transferred back to Immigration department which at the time was a part of the Police Force.

And then PM Gonsalves try to kiss the Junior Constable, after she resisted, his advancements, in a rage of prime ministerial power, he was not to be resisted. After all he was the prime minister. Manny have so submitted to him before, so what make this lowly police officer any different. I have done this to far more educated, and important people than this, highly paid security officer; who gives her the authority to resist the boss of her superiors.

WPC Michelle Andrews was riddled with fear, she pleaded with the Prime Minister not to do what he planned and intended to do. She even reminded him that his wife was up stairs suggesting to the Chief politician of St. Vincent and the Grenadines that his wife may be a better option than to commit such a gruesome crime making her a victim.

Prime Minister Gonsalves knowing, WPC Andrews' Job and sworn assignment for that period was his protection, did not dear use the weapon she was issued with against her assignment, even if he became a threat to her. So The Prime Minister confidently, disarmed the loyal officer, knowing that she is bound by duty not to resist, then he partially disrobed her and unlawfully has sexual intercourse with the junior Woman Police Constable.

Michelle Andrews A victim of internal (police) Sexual harrassment.

After Junior Police Constable (PC) Michelle Andrews made a report against inspector Cornelius Charles for sexually inappropriate actions imposed upon her by him, what happened? I cannot tell you what happened but I knew enough to know that it was not the first allegations of sexually inappropriate conduct that was leveled against Mr. Charles in the course of his career.

In matters such as these, it is the responsibility and sworn duties of the Commissioner of police to assign an individual or a team to look into such allegations. I will also say here. The investigation is not to be done with any particular objective in mind, but it should be done, to validate the accuracy of the complainant’s story. It is based on the findings and the recommendation of the investigator, that the commissioner of police will determined the next course of actions. The actions of the Commissioner can range from:

To determine if there is enough evidence to support the complainant’s claims and therefore he can either close the case no charge to be answer.

There are enough evidence to support the complainant case. An agreement can be made with both parties to allow the matter to be dealt with by the commissioner using his limited power to punish the inspector. (The commissioner do not have the authority to exceed certain punishment for officers from inspector and higher, such must be dealt with by the Police Service commission)

The commissioner can forward the file to the Police Service Commission for them to deal with

The commissioner can also forward the file to the Director of Public prosecution for further criminal direction.

It was the responsibility of the then Commissioner of Police Mr. William Harry, to ensure that Michelle Andrews’s complaint was appropriately and impartially investigated. Although I kept my ear to the ground, I never got wind, as to who were responsible for investigating PC Andrews’s case. It would have been highly unprofessional and inappropriate if COP Harry appointed himself the investigator in this matter for the simple reason of the close personal relationship the then commissioner of police Mr. William Harry had with the accused in the complaint inspector of police (Inspector) Cornelius Charles.

Now I am forced to asked, the following questions:

Was an investigator (s) appointed to look into the matter?

Who was the investigator (s)?

Was the accuse person interviewed?

What was the finding of the interview?

What was the overall findings of the investigation into PC Andrews’s allegations?

I will go out on a limb and say that a large percentage of police officers would have find themselves in a situation where they could have been brought up on sexual harassment charges. Fortunately for them, their victims may have been too afraid to file a report against their senior or colleague of the same rank.

Was Michelle Andrews a victim of the old boys club? 

The assignment to investigate a fellow colleague is not an easy one, the return of finding favorable to the complainant could have serious internal social impact on the investigator. He can also become a victim of what is called professional hazard. The tradition of the force is; senior ranking officers are entitled to certain sexual conquest privileges.  

One of the manner in which the police and similar organizations deal with such matters, is to put the matter on the backburner and help the matter just go away. Very often the level of unjust treatment and oppressive treatment that is handed out to the complainant; they will come to the unaided conclusion, it is best to let the matter just be swept under the rug.

Was Michelle Andrews one such victims? Was she denied her opportunity to have her matter properly looked into and be giving justice?

My Testimony for Michelle Andrews

I got to know Michelle Andrews soon after she completed her police training program at the Old Montrose Police Training School; in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Michelle and I were not friends, however every now and then we will exchange a friendly greetings and or have a brief conversation about the insignificant things. We could not help but to run into each other on a daily or weekly basis. This was so for the simple reason I was assigned to the Traffic department Transportation department and Michelle was attached to Immigration. Both department main entrance and exit were immediately across from each other and a mere twenty feet or so away.

On First impression of PC Andrews was; she was a beautiful and a sexy woman. She taller than most women and she had good enough meet on her bones not a fat girl but a well-built woman. One that I could have made my wife if I met her a few years earlier. Miss Michelle Andrews, had the type of built that most West Indian or Caribbean men desired as sexy. In the same manner I have never make an advancement on any female I have worked with (Professional courtesy) I kept my opinion of her beauty and sexual appeal to myself and I dealt with her on purely a professional level.

Although I cannot recall the exact date, I can vividly remember hearing a rumor that Police Constable (PC) Michelle Andrews filed a report of sexual harassment against then Inspector 313 Cornelius Charles. I remember I saw Michelle leaving the office for lunch and I asked her about what happened, and she briefly relayed the basic information to me about the incident that triggered the report against, the then Inspector (313) Cornelius Charles and she told me of the reactions she was getting even from her fellow constable who should be supporting her. Because of this report Michelle was bombarded with castigation from all quarters of the police.

I told PC Andrews if the incident happened as she told me it did, (I had no reason not to believe her) then she is within her right to report it as she did. I also pledged my support to PC Michelle Andrews. Unfortunately for me, My support of Miss Andrews came back to haunt me a few years later when, the Unity Labor Party, took Government and Cornelius Charles was place in Charge of the traffic department. It went so far to the point to where I was taken to open court as a defendant on some framed up charges which I won.
There are only a few women I knew in the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force, who were strong enough to not get involved with anyone by virtue of sexual pressure from a superior; and they are:

1. Loraine John
2. Dorothy Walker
3. Michelle Andrews.

This is not to say there are not other, honest hardworking females but in my opinion, most of the other women I knew personally, that were a part of the organization were willing to do anything that is within their power or what they have to, in order to gain an unfair advantage (Easy duties, time off when they were not due such, transfer to prestigious department, etc.).

When PC Michelle Andrews stood up to her police abusers and make their unethical, immoral and unlawful actions public, I gained a new respect for her as a person and as a police officer. As a result of Michelle’s report against the then inspector Cornelius Charles she suffered grate hardship.

I was not surprised when she was detached to work in the Grenadines she file another sexual misconduct report against her senior. Police officers who work in these hard area tend to use it as an excuse for sexual promiscuity. Having a woman in the station it would be grate temptation and just to look upon this healthy, well-built robust West Indian woman, many people can mistake camaraderie as an invitation for romance. In my opinion, Michelle Andrews is a respectable woman who is strong enough to fight against the odds.