Living in fear of life because of abusive husband; authorities do nothing

Dear Editor,

I have been legally married to a man (name given) for 22 years. During those 22 years I was constantly abused, physically and verbally.  On December 10, 2013 I finally had enough abuse and decided to separate myself from my husband and moved out.  I could not take the abuse any longer.  I was staying at my sister’s home, when he came there and threatened to kill me; he attempted to carry out his threat when public spirited citizens along with some of my relatives intervened.  I immediately made a report at the Rose Hall Town police outpost.  He was subsequently charged and put before the court.

On December 13, 2013, the matter was called before the Magistrate at New Amsterdam Magistrate’s court.  Sadly on the said day I had a medical emergency, and had to be rushed to the hospital then transferred to Georgetown to a private hospital, where I had a scan done.  When I went back to where I had been staying at the time I learnt that my husband had been placed on $50,000 bail and a trial date set for January 7, 2014.  However, he did not turn up on this date, so it was put off for February 11, 2014.

On this date the Magistrate asked if I was still proceeding with the case, and I replied in the affirmative.  The Magistrate then asked my husband if he had anything to say. My husband said he wanted to change his plea to guilty, and then went on to explain why he used to constantly assault me physically.  He said he was frustrated, because his son had killed somebody and was in jail; mining officers had seized his dredge; his nephew had recently died and that I was planning to divorce him.  The Magistrate then placed him on a one-year bond and further told him to behave himself.  From that day to now, I have been verbally threatened and attacked by my husband whenever I am in public.  I have since made several reports at various stations but up to now no action has been taken against him.

Editor, my life is in danger.  The police up here will take no action because he pays many of them bribes.  Is it only the rich who get justice?  Poor people like me will be pushed aside by an unbalanced system.  Up to as recently as March 20, 2014 (name given) chased down me and my son on the road in New Amsterdam.  We reported to the police and yet still nothing has been done.  Is this the way our justice system treats our people?  I am living in fear for the lives of myself and my children on a daily basis.  I am hiding out like a criminal on the run. I am begging for justice.

Yours faithfully,

Jenny Seetaram

Editor’s note

We are sending a copy of this letter to Police Commissioner (ag) Seelall Persaud for any comment he might wish to make.