Dear Editor
Many men and women in Guyana probably think like Commander Hicken does, that young women are to be blamed for rape because they do not dress ‘morally’. Victim-blaming for rape is part of the culture and many persons, especially supposedly religious people, do the victim-blaming in outright terms, or like to talk a lot about ‘modest’ attire even if they acknowledge as Mr Hicken does, that rape is a crime.
It is sickening that Mr Hicken is not aware that rape has nothing to do with what the victim is wearing, or where they were walking or who they decided to fall in love with or where they decided to go or who their relatives decided to bring into their homes.
Mr Hicken must go if he believes that young women (including girls in school uniform, young women in work clothes, nurse’s uniform, hijab, their home clothes at home) are to be blamed for rape. Mr Hicken must go if he does not believe and cannot communicate clearly to his officers and to the public that the responsibility for rape lies with rapists. Mr Hicken must go if he seems not to believe in the spirit of the new Sexual Offences Act.
Mr Hicken must go if he does not realise that many rape survivors have walked away from seeking justice because the police and the justice system blamed them.
Those who believe that survivors are to be blamed should not be investigating rape. There was a recommendation made to the Disciplined Services Commission to have specialized units staffed by persons who had the appropriate attitudes, skills and knowledge to deal with matters relating to sexual violence and domestic violence.
The talk of police reform has clearly fallen on deaf ears if senior officers believe that children are responsible for the rape brought on them because of the way they dress. Minister Rohee must go too if he does not hold himself, or Mr Hicken accountable for ensuring that the Guyana Police Force will not be judging survivors of rape as they seek justice.
Yours faithfully,
Vidyaratha Kissoon
