In cases of sexual assault, women who are affected are often silent. Whether it is fear, shame, or self-reproach, there are several reasons why women choose silence. Society is often harsh to women who were sexually assaulted or raped; often questioning women’s culpability when they are blameless.
But if adult women are shamed or frightened into silence, what about girls? We know child sexual abuse is rife in Guyana. There are many homes where incest is a norm as relatives continue to groom and harm the children in their lives. And then there is the grooming, molestation and rape circles that are outside home and family. It is disturbing that the people who engage in sexually abusing children often face no consequences. We are not a barbaric society that hangs or stones people, but sexual crimes against children are deserving of the harshest punishment.
