50 rape cases reported in Region 6 so far this year

…persons more willing to make reports – Police Commander
…as Child-Friendly Space opens at Springlands Police Station

There have been 50 cases of rape reported to authorities in Region Six thus far for the year. This is according to Region Six Police Commander Senior Superintendent Shivpersaud Bacchus.
He made the disclosure on Tuesday during the opening of a Child-friendly Space at Springlands Police Station. This compares with thirty for the corresponding period last year.
The commander however noted that more persons are not coming forward to report instances of gender-based violence in the Region.
He explained that persons are now more confident in reporting such incidents to the police feeling that the issue will be dealt with professionally.
Additionally, he noted that the department has been working closely with its partners; the regional Health department and the Welfare department.
“One of the six pillars that we are focusing on is to develop personnel for best practices,” he revealed noting that many of the officers who handle gender-based violence matters have received special training.
According to the Regional Commander, most of the instances of rape being reported in the Region are classified as statutory rape where the victim is under the age of 16 years old.

“What we find is that most of these acts are being committed during the school period and on weekends, this is when the children are unprotected.”
In recent times, a day and night care centre has been established at Rose Hall Town through the intervention of St. Francis Community Developers (SFCD).
This allows for the children of police officers to be in a safe space while they are out working.
“We recognise there is a need for similar facilities to be established in all three sub-divisions. The NGO would have made it possible for this to be established at Springlands.”
They put everything in place to make the area conducive. The Station Management Committee would have donated a television set to make it better for the kids and women who would be inclined to visit that unit.”
He pointed out that women are at the receiving end of most cases of gender-based violence that have been reported.
Meanwhile, during a recent visit to the region by former United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator to Guyana Yesim Oruç, police ranks at Central Police Station in New Amsterdam raised some of their concerns as it related to the service they can provide for victims of domestic violence. A request was made for cameras, laptops, and other equipment necessary to ensure the officers would be able to function effectively. This would ensure they get the best results when they prepare cases for trial.
The UN through the UNDP fulfilled that commitment on Tuesday when the Resident Rep. Gerardo Noto delivered several laptops, cameras, electronic tablets, and two printers.
Noto was also taken on a brief tour to witness first-hand the effects of the collaborative system that has been developed in the Region to holistically address the issue of gender-based violence.
According to the Police Commander, there is now a requirement from the Director of Public Prosecution that all statements be typed and not handwritten. Bacchus said the laptops will be given to officers who operate in the unit.
However, Divisional Crime Officer Superintendent Rawl Nedd explained that it is very difficult to get statements printed and signed when officers visit riverine communities.
He noted the need for mobile printers.
The UNDP official took up the hint and committed to ensuring that mobile printers and digitals will be supplied to the division.
“We will make the unit in Region Six a model for the rest of the country so everyone will have their laptop and their cameras so they can take their pictures. They will also have those printers that they can carry along when they are going to outline areas,” he assured. (G4)