(St. Croix, USVI, August 22, 2006) — Delegate to Congress Donna M. Christensen today called on the U.S. Justice Department to release the report on the investigation of the reported rape of a St. John woman in August of last year.

“As we approach the one year anniversary of the rape, I think that the St. John community and the Virgin Islands at-large have been more than patient as they waited for the result of this investigation,” said Christensen. “I have been part of a group made up mostly of St. John clergy which has met regularly following the incident.  At times, we met with US Justice Department officials and have urged closure in this investigation,” the Delegate said.

“The community and our group have been promised a report on more than one occasion and many deadlines have come and gone,” she said. “If the investigation is complete, then the community and the alleged victim have a right to know.”  Christensen noted that the case has caused division and rancor in the normally quiet St. John community. “If it is not complete, then we have the right to know what the status is today and if there is a hold-up, what it is.”

Christensen said that the group decided yesterday to launch a letter writing campaign to the Justice Department to pressure them for a speedy resolution to this matter.  She urged interested individuals to send letters to Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales, at the U.S. Department of Justice, 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC  20530-2000 or email his Chief of Staff at  kyle.sampson@usdoj.gov.