The Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG), in the wake of the gruesome murder of teenager Neesa Gopaul, is urging that every community be made “vividly aware” of the agencies and officials responsible for investigating real or alleged child abuse.
FITUG, the major grouping of trade unions representing organized workers in Guyana, said in a press release that “now is the time for Guyanese to understand how the school system, the Police Force, the child care (agency) and the local government must respond to pleas for help.”
FITUG is also calling for clear directions, through public awareness programmes, so that individuals and families may know exactly what to do and where to go.
The trade union grouping said it had noted Minister Priya Manickchand’s assurances about her ministry’s protocols for investigating cases of abuse. It noted also Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee’s reminder that the police are obliged to enter every allegation in their ‘Crime Books’ under Police Standing Order No. 63, in order to ensure timely follow-up.
FITUG also referred to the reported signing of a Joint Communique on Domestic Violence by 14 religious groups, and acknowledged that “these are welcome moves to combat any descent into the abyss of child and spousal abuse at the national level.”
However, FITUG declared that it “must enjoin the human spirit, the community commitment, old-fashioned families and parenting, to combine in a nationwide assault on this depravity.”
The worst manifestation of man’s inhumanity to man, FITUG added, is when close relations can commit such foul deeds and a community does not respond effectively.
