Guyana needs a sex offenders’ registry – Nicole Cole

May 20, 2014 News

By Latoya Giles
Child Rights Activist, Nicole Cole, has said that there needs to be an operating sexual offenders’ registry in Guyana. Cole has been very vocal ever since several sex allegations have been leveled against officials at the New Opportunity Corps.
In a recent interview with Kaieteur News, Cole said that people who work with children in institutions like the NOC should be subjected to a thorough background and reference check.
“You can’t have people who may have been afoul of the law and then put them with children,” she said.
According to Cole, people-centered development is what is lacking. That would make a difference in any institution that they are reforming. “Is the NOC a child friendly place? The children should be at the centre of everything,” Cole states.
Within the past weeks several allegations have been emanating from the NOC about caregivers committing sex acts with teenagers. Parents of some of the teenagers have come forward and have told harrowing stories about sexual abuse.
Cole has also called for the total “shut down” and said that a total revamp and sanitation of the system should be conducted forthwith.
She stated that should there be similar institutions like the NOC, social workers need to be at the forefront and lead the programme.
Last Wednesday, Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Jennifer Webster, said that she had asked the Child Care and Protection Agency to investigate the alleged sexual molestation of female inmates of the New Opportunity Corps.
Two days later, Head of the Child Care and Protection Agency, Ann Greene, secured a High Court order to remove four of the teenage girls from the NOC. Greene said that the girls will remain in protective custody.
Education Minister, Priya Manickchand, had said that every single allegation of rape and pedophilia “should be taken seriously, investigated swiftly and tried urgently.”
“This is particularly true for allegations made by children or adults who are in the care of the state.
I am aware that Minister Anthony and Minister Webster are collaborating on the investigation of the NOC matter, and I expect that swift and necessary action will be taken by the respective Ministry to address the allegations sensitively and firmly, with a view to determine what happened, and more particularly, to make sure that those institutions are safe places and the residents there are protected,” Manickchand had told Kaieteur News.

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Guyana needs a sex offenders’ registry – Nicole Cole

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