Dear Editor,
Tamùkke Feminists notes with concern, the disclosure by the Guyana Police Force that the schoolgirl who had tabled sexual assault allegations against Nigel Dharamlall has moved to withdraw her report. The statement by the police on the matter appears hasty and lacks understanding of child safety and protection laws.
In sexual assault cases where children are involved, the Director of Public Prosectuions has the authority to move ahead with charges against the alleged assailant regardless of if they receive explicit consent from the child in the matter. The DPP’s approach towards this case so far however, demonstrates a clear lack of will, and sends a dangerous message to survivors of violence. Tamùkke notes also the PPP/C’s party’s response to the rape allegations against Dharamlall, who has in the past faced similar accusations and documented inappropriate remarks to women. The response from the DPP, and the PPP/C, to let the law take its course is one that we must be wary of. What does justice mean in a society where economic and political power influences its outcome, and where calls for accountability are seen as baseless and antagonistic?
Calling for justice is not black and white, and innocent until proven guilty cannot be the standard we continue to put forward as sacred when it is increasingly obvious that justice is always coloured by the perceived or actual power one holds in society. One thing that has always been certain has been that abusers are stood by, with the powerful ranks closing around them to protect them from any serious harm. Their response however is nothing new, the PPP/C has a documented history of keeping and promoting well-known abusers within their party, with several of them currently holding the title of Minister. One example of this is Kwame McKoy who also had accusations of sexual assault of a child brought against him, and who has also been brought before the courts for other criminal acts.
There is no question as to why the public does not trust the law. As we can see, the State and its agents do not care about the public’s trust, they care about protecting violent men. The permissive stance that has historically been taken towards abusers, especially those in positions of trust and power, continues to send a dangerous message to their victims, and other survivors of abuse. It demonstrates the absolute disregard that is had, particularly for women and children in Guyana, and it makes a mockery of the justice system. Finally, Tamùkke reiterates and supports the call that Nigel Dharamllal must be officially removed from his government appointments, regardless of the legal outcome of the matter.
Yours in solidarity,
Akola Thomspon
Felicia Monderson
Grace Hutson
Maleyha Joseph
Nia Williams
Renata Burnette
Salima Bacchus-Hinds
Shabaki Singh
Sunita Samaroo
