The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) yesterday advised that Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) manager Andre Kellman be charged with the sexual assault of a staffer at the facility, almost two months after a complaint was made to the police.
In a press statement yesterday afternoon, the DPP Chambers said that the case file has been returned to the police. “Based on the evidence contained in the police file, legal advice has been given to the Guyana Police Force for the charge of sexual assault to be instituted against the accused Andre Kellman,” the statement said.
Kellman is accused of kissing and touching a woman employed at the facility without her consent on July 30th, 2018.
After no action was taken despite complaints to CJIA management, the woman filed a report with the police on June 17th this year.
The management of the airport, in a press release, had announced on the evening of June 18th that a senior manager had “proceeded on leave to make way for an ongoing police investigation,” while adding that the complainant’s security credentials were also withdrawn.
It said the action followed the opening of a police investigation based on the report by the complainant. “The alleged incident …was previously investigated by airport management. At the time, there was no evidence found for further action to be taken,” the release had said.
The airport management had also said that Kellman was sent on leave in order to facilitate the probe.
In early July, Stabroek News had reported that Kellman was back at work. However, it remains unclear if he remains on duty.
The airport had indicated its commitment to ensuring a “safe working environment for all employees and all persons who work at and use the airport” and added that in light of the recent incident, steps were being taken to strengthen the existing protocols.
In late June, the airport announced the commencement of its interventions designed to tackle the issue of sexual harassment and assault in the workplace.
Contacted by this newspaper yesterday afternoon, the complainant said she was contacted by DPP who informed her of the legal advice given.
“…Throughout this whole thing, people who knows me very well would know the type of person I am and I certainly am not a [vengeful] person. At this point, with the news I got today, I honestly don’t know what words I can use. Probably I am feeling triumphant…certainly I am grateful for all the support I have had from people, the media especially,” she said.
The woman said she is happy that she spoke out, not only because of the outcome, but to encourage other women, who are victims of abuse, to break their silence without being afraid.
“I am not saying that because of the results of what I heard today. Initially, when I decided I was going to do this, the only thing that propelled me to do this was because I know I was telling the truth. I did not had to rely on a lie or some make-up story. I know it was the truth and that is what kept me through. Regardless what outcome came, I know I stood up for myself. I can’t ask anybody to do that for me if I didn’t do that for myself. And I am very happy that I did. I am very proud of the way I did it to be honest. And today, yes, hearing charges are being filed, yes, it makes me feel some type of way, yes. I feel it’s a forward movement and I hope for other women out there, they could feel that it’s okay to talk about these things. You shouldn’t have to be afraid,” she said.
“I am glad this kind of thing has got the attention it has because I think there are a lot of women out there who should be speaking and don’t come out for whatever reasons and that shouldn’t have to be. People should be free to talk, free to say things without having to be victimised or punished,” the woman added.
She said she empathised with people who share experiences like hers because she knows what it feels like and its effects.
“I really empathise with people like that because I know what I went through. I know how I felt emotionally. It was very traumatising,” she said.
