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Several arrested, bar shut down after Amerindian woman sexually assaulted
Kaieteur News – The Guyana Police Force (GPF) has arrested several persons in connection to an alleged sexual assault of a young indigenous woman at a bar, Minister of Human Services and Social Security Dr. Vindhya Persaud said on Friday.
A heinous video circulated on social media of the young woman being sexually assaulted in the bar and persons cheering and recording the situation. The bar, which has been identified by police as Raghoo’s bar and is located at Soesdyke Junction, East Bank Demerara (EBD) has since been shut down.
In a statement posted on her Facebook page, the minister said that on Thursday night she received a “very disturbing video which showed a young woman being terribly violated at a Bar in full view of many persons.”
“It was most reprehensible to see persons filming the incident rather than helping this woman, and the DJ encouraging the perpetrator to perform lewd acts on the victim.
I immediately alerted the Guyana Police Force and the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the Ministry of Human Services has been collaborating with them to address this reprehensible incident.”
The Minister announced that the bar has been identified and shut down.
“So far, the Bar has been identified and shut down, persons are in custody of the Police. All necessary support will be provided to the young woman by the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security. I urge persons not to share the video as this is a further violation of the victim.
I call on citizens to be public spirited and not just record these things on their phones, but, offer help and report these serious incidents,” the minister pleaded.
In a subsequent statement the GPF said, the owner of the bar “Mr. Omesh Raghoo has been called in and is assisting investigators with their inquiries. The bar has been closed indefinitely pending the outcome of the investigation.”
Further, the police said that such incidents are taken “very seriously” and it remains committed “to ensuring justice is served under the law.”
“Investigators are urging any witnesses or individuals with information to come forward and assist with the investigation. Please note that no efforts will be spared,” police said.
The Ministry of Home Affairs in a separate statement urged the public to “refrain from sharing these videos out of respect for the victim and the integrity of the investigation.”
“Members of the public who have any relevant or helpful information are strongly urged to contact the 4B Divisional Headquarters at Diamond, East Bank Demerara, or report to the nearest police station,” the ministry urged.
Earlier on Friday, the University of Guyana Indigenous Students Society (UGISS) said it “is deeply disturbed by a video currently circulating on social media, which appears to show the sexual assault of a young Indigenous woman in a public setting.”
The UGISS said the incident, which reportedly took place in a bar, shows a crowd cheering, recording, and sharing the footage, with further encouragement from the event’s Disc Jockey (DJ).
“UGISS strongly condemns the actions of all perpetrators involved in this incident, including those who enabled or encouraged the assault, and those who continue to circulate the video online. We urge our members and the wider public to refrain from sharing such violent content, and to remain respectful and mindful of the trauma inflicted on victims of sexual violence.”
Additionally, the UGISS said that Indigenous women remain among the most vulnerable and underrepresented groups in society.
“…we must collectively foster a culture of protection, support, and accountability. UGISS stands in solidarity with the victim and all survivors of sexual violence. We reiterate our zero tolerance for such acts and call for justice and action from the appropriate authorities,” the statement said.
The UGISS further called for cooperation to build safer, more compassionate communities.
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