Following the decision by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to lay no charges against the four New Opportunity Corps (NOC) employees accused of abusing wards, APNU Member of Parliament Christopher Jones says he will seek to privately pursue justice for the victims.
Jones told Stabroek News that though the decision was disappointing, it was not surprising. “I’m disappointed–so disappointed–but based on information received about these staffers…, I am not surprised,” he said.
Jones further said that he had received word in June that a decision had been made by the DPP since then; however, he said, Crime Chief Leslie James only announced the decision on Friday.
In June, Crime Chief James had told this newspaper that criminal charges were likely to be laid against the four staff members of the NOC at the centre of the abuse allegations. James had further said that there was a “high likelihood” that charges would be laid against the accused abusers, one of whom was employed on a part-time basis. However, on Friday James revealed that the DPP had advised that “no criminal charges be laid in this matter as there was no incriminating evidence found.”
“The fact that the DPP has issued this advice due to a lack of incriminating evidence, it boggles the mind,” Jones said yesterday. He went on to say that the Child Care and Protection Agency (CC&PA) would have conducted its own investigations following the accusations and was satisfied enough with its findings to act upon them. These investigations, he said, would include statements from the victims as well as physical examinations.
Jones pointed to campaigns encouraging children to report instances of abuse and said that they were somewhat ironic in the light of this situation. “Here it is, when the reports actually go to the authorities, where it is expected that the officials take up the responsibilities expected and that they bring justice to the victims of these crimes, you find these perpetrators being set free,” Jones said. He continued, “The precedence is being set that if you’re involved in these things, you’re likely to get off and it emboldens abusers to continue to do these things to young people in their care.”
Meanwhile, Jones said he is not letting the matter rest; he revealed that he is seeking alternative steps of privately pursuing the matter.
When contacted yesterday, Director of CC&PA Ann Greene said she was unable to comment effectively on the DPP’s decision. According to the director, she is yet to be adequately updated and noted that it would be irresponsible to comment on a situation without knowing all aspects of it. She added that she does not know the reasoning behind the DPP’s advice and would need some time to confer with officials.
However, she stated that the four girls who had been taken into CC&PA’s care following the allegations are doing well.
The parents of four girls made a formal complaint to the CC&PA, which, in an unprecedented move, had applied to the High Court for their removal from the institution. An order was granted and the girls were released into the care of the agency.
The allegations against the NOC staffers were made following the March escape of several juvenile inmates from the institution and included sexual abuse as well as extreme physical abuse. The juveniles were all charged in relation to the escape.
