-call for governmental, NGO intervention
A delegation representing six Amerindian villages convened a press conference at the Herd-manston Lodge yesterday to raise the pervasive issue of violent sexual crimes within their communities.
Mark Anthony Rodrigues from St. Ignatius Village, Imma-culata Casimero from Aishalton Village, Marlon Edwards from Karasabai Village, Gloria Duarte from Rupertee Village, Carl Peneu from Orealla Village and Samantha Onyi from Wakapoa Village came together at the head table to shed light on the challenges faced by young women in their respective villages.
During the press conference, the delegation underscored the urgent need for governmental and NGO intervention to tackle the scourge of sexual violence. They highlighted the insidious nature of these crimes and the barriers hindering justice, including political interference leading to cover-ups and a lack of impartial inquiries. The delegation emphasized that such interference not only perpetuates human rights violations but also perpetuates prejudice, discrimination and harmful stereotypes against indigenous peoples.
Rodrigues lamented the enduring scars inflicted on their well-being. The delegation stressed the necessity of comprehensive support systems, encompassing medical, psychological, and legal assistance for victims. They expressed frustration at feeling overlooked by the government.
Language barriers emerged as a significant impediment to seeking justice, with police officers from coastal regions often unable to communicate effectively with indigenous communities due to differences in language. This obstacle complicates the reporting process for victims of domestic violence, assault, and sexual crimes, exacerbating their vulnerability.
Moreover, the delegation raised concerns about the complicity of village officials in enabling sexual violence, urging decisive action to address these systemic issues. They called for genuine collaboration between indigenous communities, governmental bodies, and law enforcement agencies to dismantle the structures perpetuating sexual violence and ensure justice for all victims.
