Dear Editor,
Mr Kwame McCoy is entitled to be assumed innocent until he is proven guilty. A few issues however need to be raised now:
1. The new sexual offences legislation makes provision for protecting children from sexual advances by adults. The bill recognises the behaviour of grooming for the purposes of establishing sexual relations with a minor, and it also recognises that boys as well as girls are vulnerable to adult predatory sexual behaviour.

2. The bill certainly contains provisions which would allow for remedies in the McCoy matter, which is currently receiving much media attention. Had this bill been enacted our advice to those in touch with the boy and his family would have been to report to the police and the Child Care and Protection Agency so that legal action could be taken.

3. Of course, old law or new, the new Child Care and Protection Agency having seen the media reports should already be taking steps to investigate this matter; unlike the police, this agency does not need a complainant to start an investigation.

4. In any halfway decent administration, a public official accused of the behaviour that Mr McCoy is accused of would, without pressure, step aside from his/her positions – certainly any which impinge on the welfare of children.

5. Contrary to Ms Heywood’s view stated in a letter in the Kaieteur News of Wednesday September 23, the issue of concern is not Mr McCoy’s sexuality or sexual preferences. The issue which must be addressed is the allegation that he attempted to persuade a minor into a sexual relationship. The age of consent is 16.

Unfortunately, the Sexual Offences Bill is sitting with a Select Committee of the holidaying Parliament, and just as unfortunately, we have a history of persons in authority and power using various means, including money, to silence those they have wronged. We trust that this is not just another media circus which will leave town as suddenly as it arrived.
Yours faithfully,
Andaiye
Karen de Souza
For Red Thread