-urge decriminalisation of wandering
Human rights groups yesterday called for an independent probe into the most recent allegations of sexual abuse of New Opportunity Corps (NOC) inmates, while urging a full disclosure on the findings of a Board of Inquiry into disturbances at the facility two years ago.
Activists from Red Thread, Help and Shelter, the Colwyn Harding Support Group and the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) yesterday protested in the Main Street Avenue opposite the ministry against the alleged sexual assault and abuse of juveniles at the NOC. They also called on Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr Frank Anthony to withdraw his “extremely insensitive remarks on the recent reports of abuse” and urged him to take all rape/assault allegations seriously and to investigate the staff at the reform institution.
In an open letter to the minister, signed by activists Danuta Radzik, Sherlina Nageer and Karen de Souza, called on the minister to immediately release the findings of the Inquiry set up to investigate the 2012 disturbances involving the escape of some students; that he establish an independent task force to investigate the most recent allegations of sexual abuse of students; that he ensures that the students detained/charged are granted independent legal representation as soon as possible in keeping with their rights; that he ensures that appropriate measures are put in place to
