Sexual assault is seen as a normal occurrence

Jun 05, 2018 Letters

Dear Editor,
Last week I decided to seek legal advice on an issue that is affecting me at my workplace. I experienced unwanted sexual groping and my complaints to the management level were dismissed and no disciplinary action taken against the person I accused although the incident was witnessed by other employees. I did not even receive an apology.
I commenced my search for legal advice by visiting random law offices close to the High Court. At the first firm, I was informed that I needed to explain my problem to the receptionist who would then decide whether I would be allowed to meet the lawyer.
I related my issue to her in the waiting area within earshot of others although I found this embarrassing. I was then told that the lawyer was not in and I had to wait. I decided not to wait around. Apparently, there is no such thing as confidentiality when seeking legal advice.
I proceeded to another law office which was right next door to the first, Luckhoo and Luckhoo Law firm. A male was at the reception area. I explained to him that I would like to consult with a lawyer. He responded that I had to state my problem to him.
Since several persons were standing next to me I chose not to divulge my issue which was of a sexual nature. I just said that I was facing harassment at my workplace. I was told to take a seat. Fifteen minutes later when the waiting area became empty the male receptionist beckoned to me and insisted that I further explain what is occurring at my workplace.
After telling him about the unwanted sexual touching and dismissal of my complaints at work he just stated that I had no case! I felt very angry and ashamed at the same time. The flippant dismissal was like complaining that someone had stolen my lunch at work.
This man never provided a legal reason for his conclusion and deemed my issue too irrelevant for a 10-minute consultation with a lawyer which would have cost me more than a day’s wage. I was not seen as worthy enough to ‘give away’ my hard-earned cash! Does this man have any legal training? Does he represent the views of the lawyers at Luckhoo and Luckhoo Law Firm?
When I arrived home later that day I decided to call the law firm to complain because I was still upset. The same male receptionist answered the phone. I told him how disturbed I was at the fact that he didn’t see anything wrong with sexual assault. He cockily told me that if I don’t like the advice he can’t do anything about it.
I then reminded him that I was not allowed to see a lawyer at the firm, so the advice was what he gave he. Due to his patronizing attitude and refusal to even apologize I informed him that I would publicize my experience, his retort was, “You do what you want, we are going to take action here.”
His attitude seems to be the norm in Guyana where people do not see sex crimes as something to be taken seriously. That same day after leaving Luckhoo and Luckhoo law firm, I went to Maraj building to get a consultation with a ‘real lawyer’. Disbelievingly, the advice from the lawyer that I paid for was far worst that I would have gotten had I ‘consulted’ a random stranger on the road.
This lawyer told me that since a different race is in power people looking like me should expect victimisation because it is their time now. Therefore, I must bear up or pack up!
Editor, when I am sick, and I visit a doctor I expect a diagnosis based on medical science. Similarly, when visiting a lawyer, it is expected that he/she will quote a piece of legislature or explain his/her conclusions by simply using legal references, cases or established laws.
This goes for all professions, people expect answers based on the person’s specialization.
Editor, how can people licensed to practice as Lawyers and those representing them see crimes of a sexual nature as something normal in Guyana?

Sexually Abused Woman

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