By: Marvin Cato | HGP Nightly News |
The Assembly for Liberty and Prosperity (ALP) is raising serious concerns over what it describes as a growing and deeply troubling trend—minors frequenting bars and adult entertainment venues across the country. ALP Leader and social justice advocate Simona Broomes is calling for urgent intervention, warning that the consequences of inaction will be severe.
Broomes, a former Minister of Labour known for her advocacy on human rights and anti-trafficking issues, said the situation is being dangerously normalised, particularly because influential public figures are often seen at these venues.
“You have persons with influence—leaders, Members of Parliament, ministers, even senior police officers—present in these places, and it’s as though we are normalizing the exploitation of children,” she stated.
According to Broomes, minors are being exposed to drugs, alcohol, predators, and unsafe environments while authorities continue to turn a blind eye. She said the issue is not new, but the lack of enforcement of existing laws has allowed it to worsen.
During a recent event she attended, Broomes said she personally witnessed children inside an adult entertainment venue—not hidden, but standing at the very front of the crowd.
She emphasized that the responsibility falls not only on parents but also on bar owners and event organizers who knowingly allow underage patrons onto their premises.
Broomes called for:
- Strict enforcement of national laws governing bars and adult entertainment venues
- Penalties for establishments that admit minors
- Mandatory ID checks at entrances
- Greater police accountability, particularly when officers are present at such events
- A cultural shift to protect children from exploitation and predatory environments
She noted that many minors come from single-parent households where guardians are working late hours, making them more vulnerable to such risks.
“What I witnessed left a nasty taste in my mouth,” Broomes stated, highlighting that at the event she observed, police officers were only checking for wristbands—not IDs.
The ALP leader insists that without immediate action, the issue will fuel broader problems, including grooming, trafficking, rape, and substance abuse.
