A speech by the head of the Women’s Resource Centre turning the spotlight on the often hidden crimes of sexual abuse, harassment and misconduct is a timely intervention in the wake of controversy over a proposed documentary on the brutal rape and murder of Canadian schoolgirl Rebecca Middleton.

Women’s Resource Centre executive director Patrice Frith-Hayward did not specifically raise the case of Becky Middleton during her talk to a Rotary Club — but much of what she said was applicable to that 18-year-old tragedy that still haunts Bermuda today.

Ms Frith-Hayward told Rotarians that the Island — in line with the rest of the world — faced a “sexual misconduct crisis” and that concerted action was needed to tackle crimes that fail to receive the “urgent consideration they deserve.”

The proposed TV show — irrespective of its merits and the motives behind it — is ultimately about a vicious, sustained and horrific attack on a defenceless young woman who was little more than a child.

And comments along the lines of — Ms Middleton bore some responsibility for the terrible fate inflicted on her by accepting a lift home from two men on a bike — and questions over whether the case would have attracted so much publicity if she hadn’t been “a pretty little white girl” shows the Island still has some way to go.

This was a case that crossed racial boundaries — or rendered them irrelevant altogether.

For it was, when all is said and done, a crime committed by men against a young woman, a crime that was as terrible as it gets.

It could easily be asked what might the reaction have been if it had been two Canadian tourists who committed a similar crime against a young Bermudian woman, or a young Bermudian woman who fell victim to sexual predators abroad — followed by the same failings in the justice system so painfully highlighted in Ms Middleton’s case.

But that again, is useless speculation akin to that of the medieval philosophers who argued interminably over how many angels could dance on the point of a needle.

Ms Frith-Hayward highlighted the double standards that still applied to young women, and young men, when heading out for what should be a safe night out.

Young women, she said, were often lectured on their moral conduct, while society is often more judgmental if they fell victim to predators.

Young men, on the other hand, are more likely to be cautioned about their driving and, if old enough, told to make sure to use protection if they have sex.

It cannot be stressed enough that these problems are not unique to Bermuda — but, as Ms Frith-Hayward said, they are ones that are not taken seriously enough.

The causes behind it are many — from the historic position of male dominance to, it has been suggested, the increased sexualisation of women in everything from adverts to music videos which tacitly invites men to look at women as a commodity, not human beings.

Hammering home the message to young men that, when a woman says no, she means no, and further, that when she doesn’t say anything at all that means no as well, is worthwhile.

And if that helps to prevent further incidents where women face offences ranging from unwanted advances, to sexual assault, and rape, Bermuda will be a better place. For all of us.