A partially-paralysed Matthews Ridge woman, who is alleging that she was raped in her home in late September, is now hoping that her case will not slip through the cracks like so many others.
The woman, who is in her fifties, has alleged that she was raped and battered by a male intruder on September 23. The man, she said, is known to her and although he was arrested, he was subsequently released and there is no indication that he will be charged with rape.
The woman, a relative explained to Stabroek News, has had great difficulty with speech due to a medical condition. However, the woman nevertheless related that she had been anally and vaginally raped by the man, who also physically assaulted her during the harrowing ordeal before escaping.
She was subsequently taken to the Matthews Ridge Police Station and was accompanied to her accused rapist’s home, where he was picked up and arrested. She also paid a visit to the Pakera Hospital in Matthew’s Ridge, the relative said. There, an examination was conducted but not one for rape, the relative said.
“Before we went there she started crying and telling me exactly what happened; she showed us how he tore up her underwear and clothing. The police eventually took them,” the relative said.
The man was released after 72 hours had elapsed. According to the relative, she was informed that the matter was being investigated as an assault one and not a rape.
The reported handling of the case comes amidst criticism of the handling of a report by a Mahdia woman, who has alleged that she drugged and gang-raped but was examined only for physical assault because no rape kit was available. In that case, police have said they have launched no investigation into the rape allegation.
Nevertheless, the Matthews Ridge woman and her family are determined to see some form of justice served.
According to the family member, the physical examination conducted at the hospital revealed that the woman had bruises all about her body, including her feet, legs, and neck. Her face was also swollen, reportedly from cuffs given by the man.
“Even if it’s just the assault we want something to happen,” the relative said. She went on, “I’m just wondering why this guy is walking on the road free.
“I keep wondering why they’re doing these things in this area; these things are happening here and nothing’s coming out of these stories!”
Just weeks ago, the naked and battered dead body of Samantha Ashby was found behind a community centre at Matthews Ridge, North West District (NWD). From all indications, the woman appeared to have been raped prior to her murder while her body was bruised and her face swollen.
A sister of the dead woman had told this newspaper that women had previously been “banked” in the area but the attacks would not be reported to the police.
