Dear Editor,
There is no doubt that violence in Guyana has reached unsurpassed levels of depravity. There are cases where such carnage could have been prevented if those in authority could have simply taken a second look and had a little more investigation and evaluation of the signs staring at them.
The recent murder of Neesa Gopaul stands out as a glaring example of the failure of everyone and every organization to recognize and diagnose these social symptoms. Firstly, the relatively new Ministry of Human Services is still to find direction and enough qualified personnel to deal with any form of abuse. There were many reports of abuse of this child, yet the ministry did not effectively follow up even when the child was taken away from the custody granted to the grandparents by the Children Services. The teen once tested 80%positive for ecstasy (a hallucinogenic drug) in the presence of a probation officer! This is a serious matter – not a case where a car could be repaired later but, rather, one requiring immediate attention. Nothing was done. It is refreshing that Minister Priya Manickchand has admitted failure on the part of her ministry, however, this is not enough. The usual blaming of personnel for not acting properly and following protocols will start rolling, but internal analysis and post-mortems do not restore life. Nothing short of an enquiry and firing those guilty of dereliction of duty would suffice.
Even when victims of abuse are identified the response is oftentimes too little, too late. As a teacher with the New York Board of Education, some of the courses I had to do included violence prevention, sex abuse, drug abuse, emotional abuse and domestic violence. Any indication of something wrong is immediately reported to the dean or principal where social workers may get involved. Guyana can follow this example.
This particular ministry has a tremendous role to play in a society emerging from the aftermath of dictatorship and poverty. The effects of power, wealth, poverty, drugs and alcohol have compounded the problems of domestic abuse. Emigration and single parenthood have not helped either. Having highlighted some shortcomings of the systems that are ‘designed’ to deal with abuse it is apposite to indicate same effective measures to identify and treat such maladies.
* The 911 police emergency hotline must be a top priority with qualified operators and equipment to identify calls.
* Neighbours and relatives must take responsibility and report signs of abuse.
* Domestic violence must be more than a police matter. A family court should offer counselling.
* Teachers must be trained (as part of their job) to recognize the signs of drug abuse, sex abuse, domestic violence, etc.
* Student councillors are not a phenomenon of the past and are needed in every school.
Above all, it is the responsibility of every human being to look out for one another; if this was the case then Neesa Gopaul would have been alive today. Sad to say a shining light from a top school, Queens College, is now extinguished. What is even sadder is the fact that she lived a minute away from the Leonora Police Station.
Yours faithfully,
Leyland Chitlall Roopnaraine
