Latest update April 14th, 2025 12:08 AM

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

Latest News

Hicken should resign if he blames women for rape

Nov 19, 2014 Letters

Dear Editor
Many men and women in Guyana probably think like Commander Hicken does, that young women are to be blamed for rape because they do not dress ‘morally’. Victim blaming for rape is part of the culture and many persons, especially supposedly religious people, do the victim blaming in outright terms or like to talk a lot about ‘modest’ attire even if they acknowledge as Mr Hicken does, that rape is a crime.
It is sickening that Mr Hicken is not aware that  rape has nothing to do with what the victim is wearing, or where they were walking or who they decided to fall in love with or where they decided to go or who their relatives decided to bring into their homes.
Mr Hicken must go if he believes that young women (including girls in school uniform, young women in work clothes, nurses uniform, hijab, their home clothes at home) are to be blamed for rape. Mr Hicken must go if he does not believe and cannot communicate clearly to his officers and to the public that the responsibility for rape lies with rapists.   Mr Hicken must go if he seems not believe in the spirit of the new Sexual Offences Act.
Mr Hicken must go if he does not realise that many rape survivors have walked away from seeking justice because the police and the justice system blamed them.
Those who believe that survivors are to be blamed should not be investigating rape. There was a recommendation made to the Disciplined Services Commission to have specialized units staffed by persons who had the appropriate attitudes, skills and knowledge to deal with matters relating to sexual violence and domestic violence.
The talk of police reform has clearly fallen on deaf ears if senior officers believe that children are responsible for the rape brought on them because of the way they dress.  Minister Rohee must go too if he does not hold himself, or Mr Hicken accountable for ensuring that the Guyana Police Force will not be judging survivors  of rape as they seek justice.
Vidyaratha Kissoon

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| April, 11th, 2025

 

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Runsfest ends in draw, as arch rivals play hearts out

Runsfest ends in draw, as arch rivals play hearts out

Apr 13, 2025

2025 CWI Regional 4-Day Championships Round 7…GHE vs. TTRF Kaieteur Sports- Guyana Harpy Eagles played to a draw against long-time rivals, Trinidad and Tobago Red Force yesterday at the Queen’s...
Read More
Guyana Harpy Eagles trio fined for breaching Cricket West Indies code of conduct during final round of the West Indies Championship

Guyana Harpy Eagles trio fined for breaching...

Apr 13, 2025

Sport Ministry injects $3M into EDFA League

Sport Ministry injects $3M into EDFA League

Apr 13, 2025

GCB President meets U15 team ahead of Regional showdown

GCB President meets U15 team ahead of Regional...

Apr 13, 2025

Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee, Guyana Cup 2025, set for August 17 at Rising Sun

Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee, Guyana...

Apr 13, 2025

Week 3 of East Bank FA Boys’ U14 League shines with talent and passion

Week 3 of East Bank FA Boys’ U14 League shines...

Apr 13, 2025

Features/Columnists

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: glennlall2000@gmail.com / kaieteurnews@yahoo.com

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]