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We cannot allow sexual offences to run amok – Rohee tells police
Participants of the training programme pose with (seated from left) facilitator Della Briton, Commissioner Henry Greene, Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee and the force’s Training Officer Clinton Conway.
– 125 ranks complete UNICEF sponsored training
Home Affairs Minister, Clement Rohee, has warned that Guyana cannot allow sexual offences to run amok in the society. He has commended the Guyana Police Force for the initiative to train its ranks to effectively interpret the recently approved Sexual Offences Act 2010.
The Minister was at the time delivering the feature address at the UNICEF-sponsored training programme for 125 ranks of the Guyana Police Force. Attorney-at-law Della Britton facilitated the programme.
Twenty-five Police Prosecutors were part of the training programme, which is expected to greatly assist in the prosecution of sexual offences.
According to the Home Affairs Minister, the programme occurred at a very important time in the life of the Guyana Police Force, since it will also be beneficial to victims of sexual offences and other stakeholders.
He noted that the new law is very challenging to the premier law enforcement agency, since it will require a high degree of judgement on the part of those responsible for effectively policing the legislation.
He noted that the public’s expectations of justice are now much sharper and it would be bad for Guyana if by omission or commission, sexual offences are allowed to get out of control.
UNICEF Representative for Guyana, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. Suleiman Braimoh, said that his organisation is committed to working with Guyana on the issue of sexual offences to ensure that not only is there prevention of this heinous behavior but also that it is effectively addressed whenever it occurs.
He commended the Home Affairs Minister for his leadership in developing a programme of cooperation with all stakeholders to address the issue.
“…UNICEF as an agency is committed to supporting the government to build capacity in terms of prevention, detection, prosecution of sexual offence,” Dr. Braimoh told the gathering at the closing ceremony held at the Police Officers’ Mess Annex.
He said that by the end of this week the initiative would be extended to the judiciary to ensure a proper linkage and synergy in dealing with the situation. He disclosed that subject to the approval of the United Nations there would be another round of collaboration between UNICEF and the government, which is expected to come on stream in January 2011.
“This is the time to join hands to ensure that that programe of cooperation has all the ingredients and elements we need to fight sexual offences…,” the UNICEF representative said.
He expressed the hope that at the end of the programme of cooperation, those involved will no longer be talking about plans but will be focusing on how far they have come in terms of dealing with sexual offences.
Facilitator, attorney-at-law Della Briton, in her overview of the training programme, observed that the Sexual Offences Act 2010 is a revolutionary piece of legislation, which has broadened the definition of traditional sexual offences.
She noted that in keeping with the rights of the child convention, provisions to deal with the offence are now more drastic.
The act seeks to prosecute and impose penalties on those who cause a child or vulnerable adults to watch sex acts, whether through the medium of computer images or in person against their will.
According to Britton, under the Act, the police are now more accountable, since failing to deal effectively with reports could lead to disciplinary action.
“This Act makes it mandatory for the police to investigate and report each and every allegation of sexual assault…and forward the findings to the DPP for advice,” Britton pointed out.
Commissioner of Police Henry Greene, in his brief remarks urged the course participants to improve their knowledge of the Act, since ignorance will now enable them to effectively pass on what they have learnt to their colleagues.
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