A sex offenders’ registry won’t stop sexual abuse

Oct 07, 2017 Letters

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Dear Editor,
I support the development of a sex offenders’ register, but while its presence has some usefulness, there is no reason to believe that it will in any significant way reduce sexual offences against our children. In the USA, Utah has strict laws governing the registration of sex offenders. Indeed, even a sex offender from out of state has to register within ten days of being in Utah, regardless of intended length of stay. But Utah still is listed among the 10 states with the highest number of sexual offences against children.
We have the tendency of being very cavalier with our definition of a ‘community.’ Preferring to stick to a geographical definition in preference to a sociological one. This means we end up seeing village and community as synonymous. Thus, we expect the village or ward to behave in ways more attributed to communities as defined in sociology. Our disappointment will continue until we understand the distinction, and if we feel community response is the best answer, take steps to help villages to become communities again.
It is true that parents need to play a crucial role in preparing their children to face the unpleasantness and challenges posed by modern society. But it is the duty of government and concerned non-governmental agencies, including religious organisations and schools; to help prepare parents for this task. Today, in Guyana we have parents who are early school leavers, parents who themselves came from homes in which little parenting was done, and parents who are so young that they themselves are in need of parenting. Without enormous help, what on earth do we expect these parents to do?
Fortunately, there are examples of actions that could be taken that would be useful in our fight against child sexual abuse. California and seven other states in the USA, have made allowance, in law, for sexual offenders to be able to choose (in some cases it is mandatory) castration rather than a long prison sentence. A procedure the offenders must pay for. Offenders who do not have a mental health issue, but are driven by intense sexual urges are the prime targets of this chemical procedure which lower their testosterone to pre-puberty levels and reduce libido. These states seem to focus on ensuring that wrongdoers never again are able to rape anyone.
Of course, these states have had to weather the storm of protest coming from human rights groups that see castrating offenders as cruel and inhumane treatment. To which one could respond – and what about the number of children he will possibly destroy as we await him change? But, even as we debate this approach there are things to do, information we could share with our citizens that if adhered to could reduce the chances of their children being raped – things and information unlikely to be controversial.
First, even though child molesters are active in cities and villages, these acts seem to occur mostly in rural areas. I think this is because children in rural areas are taught to be respectful to adults – every adult is to be addressed as “uncle or aunt.” To a child respect also suggest trust. Gaining the trust of their victims is the child sexual abusers first objective. Second, remember statistics indicate that the most vulnerable children are those between seven and thirteen years old. Third, the tendency to have a sibling – just a little older- take their brother or sister to and from school is dangerous. Here in the USA parents could serve serious jail time for doing so.
Fourth, remember, that most children are molested by a relative or a friend of the family (this relates back to the issue of trust). Fifth, attend parent teachers’ meeting; let your voice be heard. Demand that the Teachers Training College show proof that those it train are being given the skills/knowledge necessary for them to recognize when a child has been sexually abused; that teachers can competently instruct your children about inappropriate touching etc. Further insist that at parent teachers meeting time be set aside for such trained teachers to share that knowledge with you. If necessary picket the Ministry of Education, the Office of the President until these things are done.
Remember, the rich and the politicians do not have to ask their little children to take their siblings to school. They don’t have to worry about their child getting home safely after a cricket match – private vehicles are there to take care of that. It is you, the poor, whose children are mostly at risk. I know, there will be those in positions of power who will tell you – “wait, don’t protest, you are embarrassing the party.” I say to you, on this matter, embarrass it. Perhaps if we had done so during the rule of the PNC and the PPP, those children who were denied their right to youthful innocence then, might have been saved. These are your children you are fighting for. They are depending on you.
Claudius Prince

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