Dear Editor,
In my opinion, the Ministry of Human services, is not carrying out its mandate to protect the citizens of Guyana from various forms of abuse.
I have known of a number of cases of abuse and crimes of violence against women in particular, where no justice has been done, or if it was, it came too late when the victim had already died.
I know of a case at present involving a man and his common law wife who have been together for thirteen years and were living in a housing scheme on the Essequibo coast.
The man had been cheating on his common law wife, and when she confronted him about the matter he got angry and beat her; she reported him to the police and he was locked up.
However, she felt sorry for him and bailed him, but when he returned home he told her he didn’t want her or the two children any more. He subsequently went to court, and got possession of the property and other assets.
The wife appealed to the authorities in Essequibo concerning the court ruling, and was told not to move out of the house until they dealt with the matter, which would involve another court hearing.
The man is threatening to kill the woman if she doesn’t move out of the house, and abused her on many occasions, and when she complained to the police they did nothing.
Just a few days ago he could have chopped her, had it not been for her 9-year-old son who lashed his father when he saw him chasing his mother around the house with a cutlass. Her neighbours called the police and he was locked up, but was released the next day.
I think the system is failing; too many people are dying before any justice is done. This could be avoided if the relevant authorities dealt with these matters of violence promptly.
Yours faithfully,
Lindsay Fredericks
