Stabbed woman protests Police inaction against reputed husband

Apr 05, 2011 News

An East Coast Demerara woman yesterday protested police inaction in the wake of her complaints that she is being stalked and threatened by the man she once lived with for 23 years.
And Non-Governmental Organisations Red Thread and Grassroots Women Across Guyana say the Magistracy should pay more attention and ensure that victims of domestic violence are protected and receive justice.

Vanessa Francis, right, and her daughter Kiesha Douglas, protest outside the office of the Police Commissioner.

Vanessa Francis, with her 23-year-old daughter, stood outside the Office of the Police Commissioner, at Eve Leary, to tell her story.
She said that she was stabbed 10 times about her body before her assailant escaped. He was later captured by relatives and was taken into custody by Police at Brickdam.
Later, she said that he was transferred to East Coast Demerara and later appeared before a Magistrate.
He was put on $10,000 bail for other charges for which he was before the court for and not for the complaints lodged by her, Francis said.
As a result, she said her assailant is now on the road, sending her threatening messages, including one that states that he has a gun with two bullets meant for her. Francis said she fears for her life and would like the Police to act swiftly.
“He is free to walk while I am locked up like I did something and need to hide,” Francis said. Susan Collymore, a member of Red Thread, said that for too long women who make complaints about domestic violence are ignored by the Police and fail to get justice. She helped to carry a placard that told of nine women being murdered this year alone.
“I think they (the Police) are lazing around too much. They need to get up and get,” said Collymore.
Shirley Shafeek, a member of Grassroots Women Across Guyana, appealed for the Police to deal more seriously with complaints of domestic violence.
“Women have to fear for their lives, while their stalkers walk free,” she said, as in the case of Vanessa Francis.
“I think they (the Police) should act more seriously. Women’s lives are in danger, while their abusers walk free on the road.”