Latest update March 29th, 2024 12:59 AM
Aug 03, 2014 News
The Guyana Police Force has signaled that they are in the process of wrapping up investigations into allegations of abuse against four teenagers at the New Opportunity Corps. The teenagers, all girls, alleged that they were sexually assaulted by caregivers at the institution over a period of time.
Police Crime Chief Leslie James said that the investigators have travelled as far as Berbice to interview former inmates who were committed to the juvenile detention facility where the alleged abuses occurred.
James explained that after the investigation is completed, the file will be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions, Shalimar Ali Hack, for advice on the way forward.
The allegations of sexual and physical abuse surfaced after 14 teenagers escaped from the facility in March of this year. This saw the Child Care and Protection Agency mounting an investigation after which the names of four officials were handed over to the police.
While the agency has not released the names of the four officials who were recommended to be charged by the Child Care and Protection Agency, the NOC Director, Davenand Ramdatt, has resigned and is now employed with the People’s Progressive Party in the Public Relations Department.
Further, Kaieteur News was told that some 11 inmates escaped on Wednesday. Kaieteur News was told yesterday that the inmates also destroyed a vehicle belonging to the NOC. However, the teenagers reportedly returned to the facility late Friday afternoon.
Back in May, after the completion of the investigation by the CCPA, it was established that there was enough evidence for the police to institute several charges against the caregivers. Member of Parliament for APNU, Christopher Jones, had signaled his satisfaction with the investigation. Jones says he will now call on the police force to act swiftly to have the persons charged.
A High Court Judge had granted the CCPA a court order to have four teenage girls who were at the centre of the scandal removed from the NOC. Head of the CCPA, Ann Greene, had told Kaieteur News that this was necessary for the process. She had noted that the Agency was obligated to investigate every single report of abuse against a child.
Within the last three months, several allegations have been emanating from the NOC about caregivers being engaged in sexual acts with teenagers. Parents of the teenagers have come forward and told harrowing stories about sexual abuse.
Meanwhile the 2012 Commission of Inquiry report into the disturbances at the NOC is yet to be handed over, even though Commission Chairman Justice Winston Moore had told Kaieteur News that he would have handed over the report to the Ministry.
During the “disturbances” one dormitory went up in flames, while several inmates absconded.
APNU and the AFC have publicly stated their dissatisfaction with how the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport handles the NOC. Child Psychologist and former Presidential Candidate, Faith Harding, had also stepped up to lend her expertise after the allegations at the NOC surfaced.
Harding had offered to go the NOC and hold sessions with the students and caregivers. However the Ministry is yet to take up Mrs. Harding on her offer.
THIS IDIOT TELLING GUYANA WE HAVE NO SAY IN THE 50% PROFIT SHARING AGREEMENT WE HAVE WITH EXXON.
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