Dear Editor,
As I’ve shared before, a member of my family was sexually assaulted, and I had little hope that justice would prevail. Regrettably, my fears have been realized, as there has been no meaningful progress in addressing the crime.
This issue isn’t unique to Guyana. Across the world, including countries like Australia, victims of sexual assault face similar struggles. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, one in five Australian women and one in 20 men have experienced sexual assault since the age of 15. These assaults often occur in private spaces and are frequently perpetrated by someone the victim knows. Yet, nearly 90% of women who experience sexual assault do not report it to the police. Why? Many victims’ fear they won’t be taken seriously or worry about the personal, professional, or retaliatory consequences of speaking up.
If we want more victims to come forward and seek justice, authorities in Guyana must prioritize better training for police officers investigating sexual assaults. Such cases demand sensitivity, professionalism, and an unwavering commitment to justice. In our case, we believe the assigned investigator may be compromised. Her lack of compassion and understanding has eroded our confidence in her ability to handle this delicate and distressing matter. Her unprofessional and disrespectful behaviour has caused our family significant distress, further compounding our trauma. This must change. Victims and their families deserve to have their voices heard and their cases handled with the utmost care and integrity.
Sincerely,
(Name and Address Withheld)
