Sexual Violence Awareness Month…Citizens picket for greater intervention in cases on sexual violence

Apr 11, 2015 News

Given the alarming images and figures that usually depict sexual violence in Guyana, a group of social activists and concerned citizens from stakeholder organisations, joined in public condemnation of such acts.

The picketing exercise outside the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.

They stood outside the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday to raise further awareness of the issue.
The group which comprised of mostly women called for the implementation of mechanism, which will help to curb the rape culture in Guyana. Those in the peaceful picket line included representatives from the Guyana Association of Women’s Lawyers, (GAWL) the AGAPE Network and the Citizens Against Rape (CAR).
CAR’s representative, Nicole Cole, said that the aim of the activity is to bring better public awareness to the issue of sexual violence in Guyana. She said that the culture of violence, particular sexual violence in our society has reached such proportions that it should be termed “domestic terrorism.”
Expressing disgust at the most recent case of sexual violence, in which a nine-year -old boy was raped and murdered, Cole also a social worker attached the Ministry of Human Services, noted that more should be done assist in terms of activism against sexual violence.
“He was nine years old and going to fly his kite. Are children not allowed to fly their kites without the fear of being pounced upon by a predator?
“We have citizens who would have served their country, elderly women not dressed in provocative garment …perhaps in their night gowns and reading glasses but they are raped and murdered in their homes.
“This type of behaviour warrants a desperate call to action” said Cole
She is of the view that the issue calls of implementation of critical pieces of legislation which speak specifically to the issue.
“Laws on paper are just laws on paper without implementing its impotent… We have an impotent legal system. It needs some potency and vibrancy… we need justice for our youngest as well as our eldest citizens,” she asserted.
“What did they do to provoke the crime? Absolutely nothing but because absolutely nothing is being done by the criminal justice system to eliminate Guyana’s burgeoning rape culture, perpetrators find it very normal to commit the gruesome acts,” She added
According to Cole, violence should be viewed and tackled that it is a public health in Guyana.
“Why is there not enough support for victims or survivors of domestic and sexual violence? We need public welfare system that caters to victims and even perpetrators in terms of making adequate interventions on their behalf.”
Meanwhile, Colin Marks, a representative of the AGAPE Network said that given the
the mountain of evidence that sexual violence is on the raise in Guyana much is to be desired in terms of the level of prosecution.
“I am just standing solidarity as part of my support to raise awareness about this type of violence …The very meager level of prosecution is definitely something that needs some attention given to it,” he added.
A series of sensitization activities have been planned for this month which was designated to spread awareness about sexual violence.
During the month of events, representatives of Red Thread, CAR, Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association (GRPA), Caribbean American Domestic Violence Awareness, (CADVA) and Rainbow House will carried out a number of activities including peaceful picketing exercises at various venues to raise public awareness about the issue.