Child Protection Week to be observed from September 20-26

A week full of activities planned by the Human Services and Social Security Ministry through the Childcare & Protection Agency (CPA), to raise awareness and to celebrate children will be held from September 20-26. The theme, “Protecting Children and Empowering Families to Cope with the Global Pandemic” resonates with the Agency’s continued efforts to safeguard children, and build the capacity of their families to forge an environment which allows for children to reach their potential, even in this time of uncertainty.
CPA and the Human Services and Social Security Ministry revealed that the week is set aside annually as a national project, with the main purpose of increasing common awareness and understanding of the importance of primary prevention to reduce child abuse and neglect in the society, by instilling the core principle that child protection is everyone’s business
“Individuals, local communities and groups, including religious organisations are encouraged to take action to ensure that children’s rights are not violated and that they can live in communities where they are free from harm and abuse,” a statement from the Ministry said.
The highlight for the week is the “Breaking the Silence on Child Sexual Abuse” virtual rally, which will be held on September 23.
In May of this year, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) had pointed to the alarmingly high statistics as it relates to sexual offences against children in Guyana. CCJ Judge, Peter Jamadar said the situation in Berbice indicates a “crisis.”
The Judge was at the time presiding over an appeal in the case of Linton Pompey vs the Director of Public Prosecutions of Guyana. Pompey was convicted on September 21, 2015, of three sexual offences against a 14-year-old girl – two counts of rape and a count of sexual assault.
The trial Judge sentenced him to 15 and 17 years in prison, respectively, on the first and second rape charges. A sentence of five years was given on the sexual activity charge. The sentences were ordered to run consecutively. Pompey was therefore sentenced to a total of 37 years behind bars.