The safety and well-being of children should be a priority for any society, yet in Guyana, alarming reports of sexual assault against minors continue to surface, exposing a worrying deficiency in child protection mechanisms.
The incident where an 11-year-old delivered at the Georgetown Public Hospital on Wednesday is most sickening. This and other recent cases, including a child being accused of dousing her father with hot oil after years of abuse, have shown that while awareness of the issue is growing, there remains a critical gap in how these cases are investigated and handled, particularly by the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA) and the Guyana Police Force (GPF). These institutions must do more to ensure that every report of abuse is treated with the seriousness it deserves.
When a child reports sexual abuse, it is not only an account of a criminal act but also a cry for protection and justice. Yet, in many cases, there seems to be an alarming trend of delayed responses, incomplete investigations, and poor coordination between the relevant authorities. Such shortcomings often result in victims being re-traumatised, perpetrators going unpunished, and families losing faith in the system.
The CPA, as the primary agency responsible for child protection in Guyana, has a crucial role in safeguarding vulnerable children. However, there have been cases where its actions have been reactionary, only stepping in after a case gains public attention, often through social media. The CPA must be more proactive, ensuring that investigations are conducted swiftly, thoroughly, and transparently from the moment a report is made. Failure to do so leaves children at continued risk and emboldens perpetrators.
The GPF, too, must shoulder its responsibility in addressing this issue. Police Officers need to handle child sexual assault cases with greater care and urgency. Every delay in investigating a report of child abuse increases the risk of further harm to the child and diminishes the chances of a successful prosecution. Police must work closely with the CPA to ensure that cases are not only investigated properly but also that victims are protected throughout the process.
Beyond investigating and prosecuting cases, Guyana must address the broader social and cultural factors that enable sexual violence against children. Too often, victims are silenced by fear, stigma, or lack of trust. Education and awareness campaigns are crucial to changing these dynamics. Schools, community leaders, and parents must all be engaged in conversations about protecting children, recognising the signs of abuse, and knowing where to seek help. Year after year in budget after budget, the Government has been providing funding to the Human Services Ministry, the CPA and the Police for such programmes but to a great extent the allocation of resources designated for child protection remains marred by inefficiency.
Every child has the right to grow up in an environment free from violence and exploitation.
It is time for real action, not just rhetoric. Guyana’s children deserve a system that protects them, supports them, and delivers justice when they are wronged.
