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Are we failing the children once again?

Jul 01, 2017 Letters

Dear Editor,
On May 25, 2010 the then President of Guyana Bharrat Jagdeo assented to the Sexual Offences Bill; a significant bill that included input from concerned citizens and schoolchildren. Within the said Bill are also provisions and penalties outlined for dealing with the media. It is clearly stipulated that if the media is irresponsible and if they put victims of sexual abuse through a second set of trauma after they’ve suffered these serious abuses, then they will pay the penalty too.
Fast forwarding to the question raised in Kaieteur News June 29, by HasaniTinnie, Communication Officer of Child Link, as to the absence of a counsellor during the rescue effort, the answer does augur for a somewhat bumpy landing. Basically, it is a superfluous question, as not only is Guyana a signatory on the Rights of the Child Convention, has its own laws on Sexual Abuse, but also clearly defined rules as to the expectation and conduct of the media. When will Guyana get anything right? How long will it take the country to see the light? What then are laws for, if they are not being followed?
What was the reporter’s underlying motive for questioning the victims during such a traumatic period? Was he assuring the public that he was in the loop by gaining first-hand scoop? Without a shadow of a doubt, he should be held accountable for violating the Bill and dealt with according to the law. The situation cries out for a revisiting of the existing Sexual Offences Bill by all concerned with rescuing our young from the new Guyanese pandemic—sexual abuse.
At the selfsame time it could serve as an opportunity for the government to initiate a —CHILD ABUSE RESCUE TEAM (C A R T ) comprising of all appropriate personnel involved in effecting humane rescue missions as outlined by the Geneva Convention of which Guyana remains a signatory. The media must know its responsibilities and place in the grand scheme of things, especially in the fight for children’s’ rights.
Yvonne Sam.

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