West Berbicians outraged over rape of 8-yr-old girl

Persons in West Berbice are outraged that although a medical examination proved that an eight-year-old girl was repeated raped, reportedly by a male relative, the suspect has been released.

They told Stabroek News that the man who is involved in a relationship with the girl’s maternal grandmother was arrested but subsequently released to seek medical attention.

They are afraid that the girl, who has been missing school because of constant visits to the Child Care & Protection Agency (CCPA), may be denied justice if charges are not laid soon. According to them, the matter was reported to the police since last Wednesday and the police seem to be “dragging their feet.”

Reports are that matter came to light after the child, who was also being physically and verbally abused, confided in her teachers. She was too afraid to tell the teachers about the sexual abuse though.

That aspect only came to light after the teachers contacted the girl’s aunt who then took her to the CCPA. She was subsequently taken to the hospital for an examination.

This newspaper understands that the child’s mother had walked out of an abusive marriage and that the child first was placed in the care of her paternal grandmother who died in February.