Latest update April 19th, 2024 12:59 AM
Oct 10, 2010 Letters
Dear Editor,
The way that Neesa Gopaul, a beautiful, intelligent young girl was barbarically slain, and dumped in an abandoned location to rot in a dirty suitcase, is just heartbreaking.
Not only am I completely outraged about her murder, but I have grown emotionally attached to this child. So much so, that every time I read about this case or see Neesa’s picture, I am sickened and hurt. That girl should not be dead. She did not deserve any of the cruelty that was so diabolically shoved on her.
As a society, we so casually accept the everyday scenario of the abuse and murders of women and children that everyday headlines the news. We should once and for all wake up from our slumber, do away with our ‘que sera sera’, (what will be, will be) attitude, and finally realise the grim implications of our silence. We must demand that the monsters responsible for this heinous and inexcusable act be eliminated from society, using the full extent of the law. We must put fear into the hearts of these cowards!
This very promising child was undeservingly neglected and disregarded by all the people that should have protected her. Neesa could very well have become the president of Guyana; now we will never know. From all accounts, this girl’s mother knew what was happening to her. She is the person I blame most for this child’s death. What type of mother subjects her child to such horror? That question hammers my brain every time I am reminded of Neesa. Anyone who subjects a child to this type of abuse is without doubt, criminally dangerous to that child. Not only did this criminally delinquent parent fail to protect her child, but she and her lover are directly linked to Neesa’s murder. But regardless of what this woman is, and what Neesa was forced to endure in her home, there is a system in place to protect children who are exposed to abuse. This system regrettably, failed Neesa also.
So much more should have been done to save this child. The insensitive and lackadaisical way in which this matter was handled by Neesa’s teachers, who should have, after questioning the mother about the very visible marks of violence on Neesa, and the abuse that Neesa reported to them, involved the hospital and the police and later follow up on the matter to make sure that Nessa was safe, and that those who harmed her were placed before the courts, begs the question, ‘what the hell are teachers there for?!’ How can a child learn if her mind is fixated on what will happen when she goes home from school? The negligence and utter incompetence on the part of the police frustrates me to the point of disgust. The failure on the part of the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security to simply do their darn job and protect abused women and children leaves me in absolute shock and disbelief. Simply enacting laws won’t stop these monsters from abusing children. There needs to be a more pro-active approach to any and all cases of domestic violence, especially when women and children are being victimized. The statements from Minister Manickchand reek of incompetence. We do not want your excuses. Yes, heads will roll, but you should be shown the door; we will accept your resignation.
Domestic violence is an endemic problem in Guyana. Neesa is now the poster face for abused children, but many women and children are still crying out for help, as they are still trapped in abuse. Please, let us not allow Neesa to have suffered and died in vain. Let us as a people unite, once and for all. Let us hold these victims in our hearts as we stand and proclaim “domestic violence, you will not be tolerated, we don’t want you here!”
Rachael Bakker
Please share this to every Guyanese including your house cats.
Apr 19, 2024
SportsMax – West Indies Women’s captain Hayley Matthews delivered a stellar all-round performance to lead her team to a commanding 113-run victory over Pakistan Women in the first One Day...Kaieteur News – For years, the disciples of Bharrat Jagdeo have woven a narrative of economic success during his tenure... more
By Sir Ronald Sanders Waterfalls Magazine – On April 10, the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States... more
Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.
Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]