Latest update December 22nd, 2024 3:05 AM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

Teen in hospital after battered by seaman father

Jun 03, 2010 News

– mother asks for leniency

In a clear case which highlighted the reluctance of some family members to report domestic abuse, a 15-year-old Pouderoyen, West Demerara, girl was badly beaten Wednesday night by her father and has since been hospitalised.
The 41-year-old father, a seaman, has been arrested and his wife is now pleading for leniency for him as he is the only breadwinner of the family.
The matter is reportedly engaging the attention of social workers and other family members say that they are fed up and “something has to be done”.
According to a clearly angry great-aunt of the teenager, the father, who is now locked up at the Vreed-en-Hoop Police Station, chased the teenager, kicked down doors and cuffed her several times to the head shortly after his return from a sea-trip Wednesday night.
The woman said that the man, who has five children with his wife, is in the habit of beating his children severely, and on one occasion last year used a piece of wood to damage the hands of one of his teenage sons. That matter also was reported to the police who reportedly let him loose after his wife and others pleaded for him.
The trouble this time all started last week when the man called to speak to his wife but did not like how his daughter spoke to him on the phone.
He threatened to inflict a beating on her when he returned from sea.
On his return Wednesday evening, and reportedly under the influence of alcohol, he immediately attacked the teenager and cuffed her several times to the face and body.
She fled to a back house on Middle Street, Pouderoyen, where she attempted to seek refuge, however, her enraged father pursued her and kicked down the door.
The teen managed to elude the man again and returned to her home in front of the yard, where she hid. The father was refused entry and it was only a few minutes later that family members found the battered teen lying on the floor.
She was rushed to the West Demerara Hospital and admitted because of the severity of the injuries. Police subsequently arrested her father.
Yesterday, from the hospital, the teenager displayed swellings at the back of her head and on her face.
Her mother, clearly traumatised, asked this newspaper to assist with finding someone to talk to her husband.
“He is de only one wukking. Somebody need to talk to him. What meh gun do now?”
Yesterday, Ann Greene, Director of the government’s Child Care and Protection Agency, acknowledged that many people fear speaking out on issues of domestic abuse.
However, there are several options available for families facing abuse.
Not only can a wife or a mother use the Domestic Violence Act to apply for a protective order, but police can also charge the abuser for assault.
“The person can be made to move out of the home and still have to pay rent and other support. All this is catered for under the Act.”
Additionally, the victims can seek refuge at the government-run Help and Shelter.

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | December, 2nd, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

 

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Chase Academy squares off with St Benedict’s College ahead of today’s final

Chase Academy squares off with St Benedict’s College ahead of...

Dec 22, 2024

-Petra-KFC Goodwill Int’l Series concludes day at MoE Kaieteur Sports- The two main contenders in the KFC International Under-18 Secondary Schools Goodwill Football Series faced off yesterday ahead...
Read More
Cliff Anderson Sports Hall to showcase Dharry/Allicock fight-card

Cliff Anderson Sports Hall to showcase...

Dec 22, 2024

Topp XX, Winners Connection advance to last eight, Botafago crush Net Rockers 9-4

Topp XX, Winners Connection advance to last...

Dec 22, 2024

Regal Stationery onboard with inaugural One Guyana Berbice Softball Cup

Regal Stationery onboard with inaugural One...

Dec 22, 2024

Power outage disrupts Thursday night play; 8 matches slated for tonight

Power outage disrupts Thursday night play; 8...

Dec 22, 2024

Dookie XI overcome North Soesdyke by five wickets in T20 fixture

Dookie XI overcome North Soesdyke by five wickets...

Dec 22, 2024

Features/Columnists

  • Policy-making by neglect

    Peeping Tom…  Kaieteur News- The ease with which Bharrat Jagdeo, General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party... more

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]