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NOC sex allegations scandal… “Enough evidence” for criminal charges

Jun 13, 2014 News

By Latoya Giles
There is enough evidence for the police to institute several charges against caregivers at the New Opportunity Corps (NOC) for sexual misconduct. An investigation by the Child Care and Protection Agency along with the Guyana Police Force has been ongoing for several weeks. This newspaper understands that the investigation was completed yesterday and there are recommendations for charges.
A senior Ministry official said yesterday said that it’s now up to the police to act and institute charges. Several calls to Crime Chief Leslie James were unanswered yesterday.  Member of Parliament for APNU, Christopher Jones, signaled his satisfaction of the investigation.  Jones says he will now call on the police force to act swiftly to have the persons charged.
Last month, a High Court Judge had granted the Child Care and Protection Agency (CCPA) a court order to have four teenage girls who were at the centre of the scandal removed from the NOC. Head of the CCPA, Ann Greene, had told Kaieteur News that this was necessary for the process. She had noted that the Agency was obligated to investigate every single report of abuse against a child.
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.
Within the last two months, several allegations have been emanating from the NOC about caregivers being engaged in sexual acts with teenagers. Parents of the teenagers have come forward and told harrowing stories about sexual abuse.
Meanwhile the 2012 Commission of Inquiry report into the disturbances at the New Opportunity Corps is yet to be handed over, even though Commission Chairman Justice Winston Moore told Kaieteur News last week that he would have handed the report over to the Ministry.
During the “disturbances” one dormitory went up in flames, while several inmates had absconded.
APNU and the AFC have publicly stated their dissatisfaction at how the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport handles the NOC. Child Psychologist and Former Presidential Candidate, Faith Harding, had also stepped up to lend her expertise after the allegations at the NOC surfaced.
Harding had offered to go the NOC and have sessions with the students and caregivers. However the Ministry is yet to take up Mrs. Harding on her offer.

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