Human Services Ministry sets up night-time response unit to tackle child abuse

– some 2600 cases recorded in 2025

The Human Services and Social Security Ministry says it has strengthened its response to child abuse cases, with the establishment of a dedicated night-time rapid response unit since 2025. Subject Minister Dr Vindhya Persaud during a recent interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI) related that the Ministry has recorded significant progress across social protection, early childhood development, women’s empowerment, disability inclusion and child protection during the Government’s first year in office.

“We have been working in the area of child protection, and that is a big area under the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security. We are working assiduously to make sure our response is rapid. So, from 2025 to 2026, we have started a rapid response unit where there is a dedicated unit at night to respond to cases of abuse for children. In addition to that, we have been working on a number of areas under the family violence umbrella, following on the heels of a 2024 legislation which would have been passed.” Last year, the Ministry has recorded some 2600 child abuse cases with neglect identified as the leading cause, primarily involving mothers and fathers. To address this issue, the Ministry has implemented several targeted interventions, including the Street Light Project, launched three years ago to support children living and working on the streets.
Further, the Ministry had developed a rapid response team to work through the night, ensuring that children are not left vulnerable in unsafe environments. However, the Minister acknowledged a severe shortage of child protection officers, which poses a significant challenge. In 2025 Guyana Times reported that over 350 children are in state care. Back then, she explained that when a child is removed from an unsafe environment, a forensic interview is conducted in the presence of police, child protection officers and a family representative.
Meanwhile, sharing another accomplishment of her Ministry, Dr Persaud highlighted the strengthening of the Hope and Justice Centres. “We strengthened our Hope and Justice Centres. They offer free legal counsel, shelter, medicals, reporting opportunities. And one of the reporting areas that would have benefited between 2025 to 2026 in the year would have been the add-on of a WhatsApp chat feature.” Meanwhile, she added that this new WhatsApp feature provides another avenue for persons seeking assistance. “So, persons who want to report, access counselling and legal support, they just download the app and it is right there in their hands. But I want to make the point and I have made a lot of points on what we have been doing because there is no single achievement. There are many achievements.”
The Minister pointed out that the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security will not stop at its achievements, stressing that its focus extends beyond accomplishments to the impact its work has on people’s lives. She said the Ministry remains committed to understanding the needs of communities and improving its services through community outreaches and direct engagement with residents. According to the Minister, these engagements allow the Ministry to hear directly from people about their needs and how its services can be improved.