Dear Editor,
I am writing with a heavy heart after discovering that one of my family members has been raped. I feel compelled to share my pain and frustration, though I never imagined I would find myself in this position. Sadly, this news doesn’t surprise me. For some time now, I have been warning her about the dangers in Guyana, but she dismissed my concerns, believing that she was safe. It’s devastating that my fears were not unfounded.
What hurts even more is the harsh reality that justice is virtually unattainable for victims in Guyana. In a country where only the elites seem to receive protection, the police are more interested in collecting than in serving justice. The victim may go to the police, but I don’t believe it will lead anywhere. The legal system is designed to wear the victim down. Cases are postponed indefinitely, and the victim is left exhausted, eventually giving up.
Rape victims are often subjected to a painful, humiliating process. The police are not equipped to handle such sensitive investigations, and the defense attorneys will do everything they can to discredit the victim, making them feel violated all over again. After the brutal cross-examinations, many victims feel as though they have been victimized twice—once by the perpetrator and once by the legal system. Even if the case goes to trial, the victim is unlikely to receive justice.
I told my family member not to waste her time with the police or courts, because the system is rigged to protect the powerful, not the vulnerable. Rape is far too common in Guyana, and many victims don’t even report it, knowing that they will be denied justice. This is why rape continues to be so prevalent—because perpetrators know they can get away with it.
Sincerely
Name and Address Withheld
