Dear Editor,
The Guyana Police Force is responding to an article published in the Stabroek News of Wednesday, December 09, 2009, under the caption `Woman attempted suicide after police did not respond to rape report’.
The article stated that a 40-year-old mother of six attempted suicide after the police did not respond to a report made that she was raped and that she was granted bail when she appeared at the Vreed-en-Hoop Magistrate’s Court charged with the act.
It went on to state that the virtual complainant told the court that she had reported the matter on the day it occurred and the police promised to deal with it but didn’t. She is reported to have said that she became frustrated and not knowing what to do, she drank poison the next day.
The Guyana Police Force is strongly refuting these allegations which are far from the truth and wishes to set the record straight.
The alleged rape of the victim is reported to have occurred at about 0930h on November 25, 2009, at her home on the West Bank Demerara, and was reported to the police at La Grange Police Station at 1200h, the same day.
That very day, November 25, 2009, the victim was escorted by a female police rank to the West Demerara Regional Hospital to be medically examined by a doctor, following which she returned to the La Grange Police Station where a written statement was taken from her and to which she affixed her signature.
Following receipt of the report made, police ranks went in search of the alleged assailant, Intacam Santool of Parfait Harmonie, who was in hiding but was however arrested on November 30, 2009.
The police went to the home of the victim the following day, December 01, 2009, in order to invite her to the station for her further assistance with the ongoing investigations, only to be informed by her husband that she had drunk poison on November 26, 2009, and was admitted to the GPHC.
However, the victim reported to the La Grange Police Station on the next day, December 02, 2009, where she identified the suspect who was subsequently charged. He later appeared in court and was remanded to prison until December 17, 2009.
Cognisant of the social, emotional and psychological circumstances surrounding such incidents, the Police Force has been exhibiting restraint, consideration and discretion when dealing with reports where persons breach the law by attempting suicide. There are numerous incidents where no criminal action was brought against such persons.
In this instance, the eager investigating rank proceeded with a charge of attempted suicide against the victim and this is being dealt with.
Having had the matter drawn to their attention, the Force Administration caused further investigations to be done which revealed that the advice of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) was not sought on either charge.
The matters will be forwarded to the DPP for advice.
Yours faithfully,
Ivelaw Whittaker
Police Public Relations Officer
