“This is a travesty!” – Minister accuses court of failing to protect domestic violence survivors custody of child

…outraged as accused gets $40,000 bail, weekend

Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud has shared her disappointment with the legal system after a man who is accused of domestic violence was placed on $40,000 bail.

Orwin Rankin, a 26-year-old speedboat captain, was arrested by police on Tuesday morning following allegations of abuse against his fiancée in Leguan.
The incident was highlighted by the victim’s mother, Sharmilla Dhanraj on Facebook. In a post which included a photo of the victim bleeding from her face, the woman said, “I’m begging for help for my daughter…This is Leguan and nothing don’t hide I know everyone knows my daughter Selina, she’s a mom of 3 kids and she’s been living with Orin Rankin aka Kang he did this to her tonight.”
Following his arrest the on Wednesday the domestic violence accused appeared at the Wakenaam Magistrate’s Court, before Magistrate Dylon Bess, where the charge of unlawful wounding was read to him. He pleaded not guilty and was placed on $40,000 bail. The matter was transferred to the Leguan Magistrate’s Court and will continue on May 29.
Following the court proceedings, Minister Persaud in a social media post shared her dissatisfaction about the way the case was handled by the court. In her statement the minster said.
“I wish to record my disappointment and concern at the seemingly lenient approach adopted by courts -as recent as today. The case involving Selena Sookram, who has been the subject of constant violent bloody abuse at the hands of her partner, being a case in point.”
She added, “The court saw it fit to release the alleged perpetrator on bail on the paltry sum of $40,000. Worse yet, the court permits him to have custody of the child on weekends.”
The minister also expressed concerns about the safety of the child shared by the two parties who allegedly witnessed the brutalities and may have been hurt in the process.
Moreover, Dr Persaud also referenced the Family Violence Bill which was passed in 2024. The bill offers comprehensive coverage for various types of abuse, including emotional and psychological.
The new piece of legislation builds upon the previously existing Act by introducing 58 new clauses and a schedule, to prevent and reduce incidences of family violence in Guyana, ensure the protection of victims of abuse within families, and bring the perpetrators to justice. However, minister Persaud highlighted that this piece of legislation is not being utilized.
“It is obvious that the new legislation is not being used. This is a travesty! The people are not benefiting from the laws that are being enacted how can we keep survivors of violence safe, many of them women, with these decisions handed down by courts that seem to be devoid of concern for the realities of survivors who are wrested from violent situations by Ministry of Human Services and Guyana Police Force, many times to save their lives.”
Nevertheless, she noted that the Human Services Ministry continues to work to provide safe shelter, psychosocial and socio-economic support and to work along with the Guyana Police Force to remove and support women caught in violent situations.