Police who refuse to take gender-based violence reports will be held accountable- Dr Persaud

For the year, there have been three cases of gender-based violence that resulted in the deaths of three women, including a teenager.

One of the cases could have been avoided had the Guyana Police Force (GPF) acted on previous reports made by the victim, Bibi Fazila Ali.

To address this, Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr Vindhya Persaud, said a discussion was held with Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, and that ranks who refuse to take or act on these reports will be held accountable.

“It is extremely disturbing to read that these reports are not being taken.

“These officers are to be held accountable when reports are not taken,” Dr Persaud said during a video posted on her ministry’s Facebook page.

According to Dr Persaud, violence against women continues in the country.

Ali was brutally murdered by her partner of eight years, Bidraj Ganesh, whom she had parted ways with just one month ago, on 29 January.

After committing the crime, Ganesh fled the scene and tried to take his own life. He was hospitalised and later succumbed.

Sometime between 24 and 25 January, Parbhudai Boodram, a 64-year-old housewife of Belle West, West Bank Demerara (WBD), was murdered at her home after being robbed.

Three men were arrested and charged with the murder.

The most recent incident occurred between last Wednesday and Thursday, when 16-year-old Janelly David was fatally beaten by her 40-year-old fiancé, Eon Moore, at Barama Line, Baramita, North West District.

In addressing these heinous acts, Dr Persaud highlighted that, over the years, the ministry has built a system to support and intervene in such cases.

The systems include the 914 hotline, the COPSQUAD initiative—which ensures ranks are trained to deal with these reports—and the Community Advocate Network (CAN).

In addition, she said support is also offered to survivors.

“We can only know what is happening if you report it to us. We want to know so that we can intervene and ensure the situation is dealt with appropriately.

“Gender-based violence and domestic violence are not new issues. They have existed for a long time, but we must consistently work on this until every perpetrator understands that the law will deal with them appropriately,” Dr Persaud noted.

She urged families and neighbours who might be aware of such incidents to act early.

“We cannot stand by as our women continue to experience this level of violence.

“Please, I ask, let us report it. We don’t want any more cases… Help us so we can truly eradicate the violence that exists,” Dr Persaud said.