TIP, cybercrime & sexual offences dominate DPP Chambers’ visit to Reg 7

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) recently conducted a community outreach exercise in several villages in the Upper Mazaruni area, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).
The objective of the two-day outreach to Kamarang/Warwatta and Waramadong was to sensitise the local communities about the functions of the DPP’s Office within the Criminal Justice System. It was conducted in collaboration with the Guyana Police Force, headed by Assistant Commissioner Deon Moore.
On the first day, the residents of Kamarang and Warwatta were educated on the issues of domestic violence and the importance of seeking help from the police and family members, protection orders and their enforcement, sexual offences, and victims’ rights.

Among the 40-plus attendees were Assistant Regional Executive Officer (AREO) Deon Seecharan; Headteacher of Kamarang Primary School, Alex Cranmer; Dr Erastus of the Kamarang Health Centre; nurses; and teachers.

Both Seecharan and Cranmer described the interactive session as timely, as residents were given an opportunity to voice their concerns and seek clarifications on issues affecting them, including policing.
On the second day, the team, comprising Senior State Counsel Mohamed Muntaz Ali, Legal Assistants Fenton Budhram and Amya Manu, and Communications Officer Liz Rahaman, along with Commander Moore, travelled to Waramadong on the invitation from Chairperson Toshao Alma Marshall of the Upper Mazaruni District Council (UMDC) to address its statutory meeting.
The UMDC is comprised of eight villages: Paruima, Waramadong, Kamarang/Warwatta, Kako Village, Jawalla, Phillipai, Kambaru/Omaneika, and Chinoweing.
Toshao Marshall underscored that the visit opens the way for future engagements between the DPP’s Office, the Guyana Police Force, and the UMDC.
She noted that even though the time spent on the ground was limited because the team had to travel back by boat to Kamarang, the explanations in relation to criminal matters, especially on murders and sexual offences, were well received and enlightening to her and the council members.
Two matters of importance to council members were the burial of their deceased relatives, sometimes without a post-mortem examination, and the sale of firearms and ammunition. These issues were adequately addressed by Commander Moore.
The team also visited and engaged in meaningful discussions with students of the Dr Desiree Fox Secondary School at Waramadong. During the meeting, the team addressed a range of topics, including teenage pregnancy and its social implications, sexual offences and victims’ rights, cybercrime, and trafficking in persons (TIP).