Dear Editor,
With reference to a letter titled “Our views on the draft Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill” published in Stabroek News on June 25th, 2024, by Red Thread and others with whom we have partnered and networked over the years, Help & Shelter wishes to register its full endorsement of the comments and recommendations outlined in the letter and the detailed feedback matrix in a Google document at https://bit.ly/3xcxHZ3. We also fully endorse the contents of the letter entitled ‘We are concerned that several parts of the current Sexual Offences Act legislation are not adequately enforced’ by the same authors.
Our position is based upon our awareness of the many challenges faced by survivors of sexual offences, particularly women and children and those who support them in ensuring justice is received for sexual violations. Help & Shelter recommends that when the Act has been amended, it be made available in a reader-friendly format and disseminated throughout all regions as there exists a significant lack of awareness of the Act and its provisions.
There should also be ongoing sensitization at all levels given not only the lack of awareness on the part of the general population but ignorance of the provisions of the Act on the part of many who offer services and/or are in positions of trust, authority or influence. We encourage that as part of sensitization efforts it be robustly emphasized that the Sexual Offences Act is the legislation that governs sexual offences in Guyana and takes precedence over any rules or regulations governing specific nationalities.
Help & Shelter commends the government on its initiative to amend the Act and hopes that the recommendations made by concerned parties are addressed appropriately. We stand ready to lend our support in the full implementation of Sexual Offences Act for the benefit of all citizens of Guyana.
Sincerely,
Josephine Whitehead
Pamela Nauth
Elizabeth Cox
Desiree Ramdeen
Gaitrie Shivsankar
Shondelle Branche
Kevin Massiah
Jacquelene Wilson
Linda Hustler-Gray
Colin Marks
Denise Dias
Selina Lepps
For Help & Shelter
