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Homestretch Avenue, D’ Urban Park, Georgetown. Guyana. S. A
Help & Shelter is appalled at the recent escalation of violence against and murders of women in the Linden area.
As an organization committed to the eradication of all forms of violence in our society, and in particular domestic violence and child abuse, we call on the Linden authorities, especially the Linden Police Force, to redouble their efforts to ensure that women and their children are given the very best of protection and security at all times and that those responsible for these terrible acts of violence are brought to justice.
The incident in which 18 month year old Shaquan Nero was killed while his mother Bernadette sustained head injuries raises concerns once again about the response of the police to domestic violence reports. Stabroek News of Friday, April 6, 2007 reported that Bernadette Nero had made a 911 call to the police station for help against her abuser and that even when she explained that the abuser was outside and that she would be in even more danger if she attempted to leave the house, the police never came. The A & F Police Division’s (Linden) statement confirms the details of this incident but not the call for help.
All too often domestic violence results in murder or severe physical injury, but whether or not it leaves physical scars, few victims do not suffer severe emotional trauma. We call on the Guyana Police Force to treat all reports of domestic violence seriously and to comply with their own procedures for the safety of victims and their children. The Domestic Violence Act, which was passed for the express purpose of providing protection against such violence, must be made easily accessible in every area of Guyana and the Police Force must advise domestic violence victims about and comply with their responsibilities under the Act.
The murder in February of Nasleen Mohamed, whose body was found in a coal pit in the Linden area, the recent murders of two other women in Linden (Melissa Anthony and Monalisa Rigby) within the space of a week and the subsequent stabbing and attempted sexual assault of two women – one on 13th April and one yesterday (20th) - strongly suggest that a serial rapist is operating in the Linden area.
The increase in the murder and other incidents of violence against women in our society is absolutely unacceptable. A concerted effort must be made by those in power to strengthen existing laws and policies and institute new ones.
While we note the progress made by the Police Force in arresting possible perpetrators of the Linden crimes, much, much more needs to be done to prevent them.