Latest update April 19th, 2024 12:59 AM
Jun 05, 2014 News
Reports of child molestation and cases of sodomy are coming from a New Amsterdam orphanage. The suspected perpetrator was arrested and released by police. Since then attempts are being made to bribe victims.
What is more terrifying is that the perpetrators are persons who are supposed to protect the children and provide them with a home away from home.
This allegation follows the recent revelation from The Camal’s Children Home on the Corentyne of girls being maltreated, being taken advantage of and sent to prostitute themselves and the more recent upheaval at the Government-run New Opportunity Corps (NOC) on the Essequibo.
Now there are reports of boys being sodomised at the Berbice Anjuman Orphanage at Philadelphia Street. A number of students had to flee the institution after they were unable to tolerate the molestation any more. The Orphanage houses both male and female students. There are reports of both sexes being molested.
The parents of a 13-year-old male student related the horror story of her son at the Orphanage. The woman said that her two children. a boy and girl aged 13 and 12 respectively, were taken away from her about five years ago by the Probation Department and placed in the custody of the Orphanage.
She was told that she was an unfit mother and that the children were not attending school. She was promised that they will attend school there and will be well taken care of.
The woman said that there was no trial and she was told that her children would have to remain at the Orphanage until they were 18 years old.
The woman stated that two Saturdays ago unable to take the pressure of being beaten and molested, her son escaped from the institution. Being afraid of the consequences he did not go home, but went to an aunt’s home in another village where he related his sorry tale.
The woman’s sister subsequently telephoned her, telling her that somebody wants to speak to her. The woman said that she did not recognize her son’s voice since he was crying all the time on the phone.
She said that she hurried to her sister’s residence where she saw her son. He wasn’t looking happy and was crying most of the time. He told her that he had something to tell her but was afraid, because the persons at the Orphanage told them that if they told anyone what was taking place at the Orphanage they would be sent to ‘Boys’ School’.
He then related to his mother how the caretaker sodomised him. The man would threaten them and then molest them. He would tell them that they have nowhere to go, that they could not go back to their parents’ home and that their only other option was being sent to Boys’ School.
The child said that the caretaker would threaten them with violence and take advantage of them, especially the little boys.
The boy related that they were beaten and forced to do all kinds of work. Although they were promised, they hardly went to school and were forced into labour. They were sent to work outside the compound. Their money was taken away and were told that their earnings are being used to help pay bills.
She called the Orphanage and informed the authorities, that whatever the circumstances she would be removing her kids from the institution. She went and without any resistance from the authorities was given her two children.
The woman then took her son to the Police Station where a report was lodged. Her son was taken to the New Amsterdam Hospital where a medical examination confirmed that he was sodomised. The police, she said, arrested the perpetrator and promised to get in touch with them for a confrontation, but never did. They subsequently released the man, who is now back at the Orphanage.
The woman stated that she was subsequently contacted by the owners of the Orphanage who begged her to drop the story. She said that she was offered money, but she wants justice.
Some of the other boys who were molested have been taken out of the Institution and sent to Georgetown to ‘hush up’ the story.
The parents are upset that nothing is being done even though the matter has been reported to all the relevant authorities. They are seeing it as another case of systems failure of the relevant Government authorities that are being paid tax payers money and not performing their duties.
They are making a clarion call for help.
Please share this to every Guyanese including your house cats.
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