What does 19 stab wounds say about the hands that poked until life was gone? What does it say about a society that would hear a screaming man and not act in the moment but wait? The recurrences of how we wait in this country have been detrimental to us as a people. We wait for what rightfully belongs to us instead of demanding and fighting; we wait for the imperfect and often self-serving to save us from implosion, and too often we wait for those in danger to die before we raise our voices.
37-year-old Ridley Joseph was a Toshao from Tasserene Village Region 7. He was killed in a city hotel early Monday morning and a suspect, 24-year-old Noah Beaton has reportedly since confessed to the crime. While many praised the Toshao and are sad about his passing, the allegations made in court yesterday on behalf of the suspect about why he murdered the Toshao should raise a national conversation followed by action to end the scourge of rampant child sexual abuse that occurs in Indigenous communities.
Whether the accused is being truthful or not, the dead Toshao cannot defend himself. Guilty or innocent he has already been judged and forever silenced by the one who alleges that he sexually abused him. In any other country where children are the most loved and protected this would inspire change. But too often, the cries of children are heard in this country and their pain and trauma is ignored. Too often the public is enraged when shocking events like murder or child rape makes the news, but before long the demands of life and distractions quiet us.
The stories about child sexual abuse in the Indigenous communities are not new. Sadly, many see it as a norm. I have visited Indigenous communities and heard stories. I was told about cases where young girls would become pregnant and that families would quietly take care of the baby and life would continue as normal. In some instances, the fathers are not known. In some instances, it is a result of incest. Sadly, even prominent figures in our society have been alleged to visit Indigenous communities and have their way with those too young to consent. Foreigners passing through villages have also violated Indigenous children never to be heard from or seen again. In some instances, because of the widespread poverty in Indigenous communities teenaged girls would seek opportunities for betterment by fulfilling the desires of the men who seek thrill and to take advantage. The lines between whether the girls have reached the age of consent or not are often blurred.
The occurrence of molestation, rape and incest is an open secret in Indigenous communities. Often, we are faced with the results of how we have failed Indigenous boys and girls, when eleven- and twelve-year-olds turn up at Georgetown Public Hospital to give birth. It was in September when it was reported that an eleven-year-old from Region 9 gave birth via c-section at the Georgetown Public Hospital. It was also claimed that she was raped by a male relative and the Guyana Police Force and Child Protection Agency had launched an investigation.
Sad to say that it is not only Indigenous children that suffer because of sexual abuse, but children across Guyana. We continue to treat this issue like the victims will simply forget, overcome and be normal functioning members of society. However, there are consequences of child sexual abuse. There are many children walking around with open wounds who are being sexually abused by relatives, neighbours, teachers and even strangers. They are frightened, traumatized and angry. There are those whose scars are invisible, but they are crippled by the psychological effects of what has been done to them. Some struggle with depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and eating disorders. There are many adults in our society who are trapped and constantly facing battles in the mind because they were violated as children. The little boy or girl in them never grew up because their right to a normal childhood free from sexual abuse was taken from them and they are still to be healed. Too many people are allowed to get away with child sexual abuse in Guyana. Too many who may not be guilty of committing the acts are also culpable because they make excuses for the degenerates that harm our children.
Terrible things happen in Guyana frequently – like the murder of the Toshao. We would imagine that hearing a man screaming for his life would send the people nearby to investigate. We would imagine that a city hotel would have the proper security to make sure their guests are safe. We would imagine that a Toshao would have security being such an important figure for his community. But a murder was allowed to happen, and the perpetrator was able to leave the hotel.
Sometimes we wonder why traumatic events continue to occur in Guyana and we are constantly in a state of fight or flight. I believe that child sexual abuse is one of the issues at the root of our trauma. Hushed, excused and unhealed it creates a society always on the verge of collapse.
I know there have been interventions in the Indigenous communities to address social issues like domestic violence and child sexual abuse. I have worked on projects that aimed to do this. However, there is much work to be done. Our country must become that village we have attempted to create but which has never become whole. I would like to think that upstanding citizens outnumber the degenerates in this country. Good people can no longer afford to keep silent because they believe an issue is not affecting them.
How many Indigenous children who are molested and raped receive counseling? How many of the young mothers are given tools for healing and to raise their self-esteem? How many of them have a way out of a cycle of trauma, abuse and depression? How many of them are empowered and set up for success? I ask the same questions for the other Guyanese children who face similar circumstances. How many more will have to suffer before we shame and stone child sexual abusers?
Noah Beaton claimed he murdered Ridley Joseph because he sexually abused him on several occasions. Beaton claimed he was seeking an apology, but that Joseph refused to apologise. However, Joseph’s voice has been forever silenced. Perhaps if those who heard his screams would have intervened, he could have lived to defend himself and his innocence or guilt could have been proven. May the truth come to light.