Rape horrors in Guyana…Twelve cases of rape so far at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts

Mar 05, 2018 News

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Ten years ago Stacy (not her real name) was walking home from work when she was attacked by a man through a lone alleyway about 20 feet from her home.
The woman recalled that she would normally walk through the lonely alleyway five times per week. “It was a norm for me because I would normally walk there all the time. It was 22:45 hrs a Sunday evening.” She said.
The woman, who is now 40, said that even though the alleyway was dark, because of the lack of street lights; it was normally the fastest way for her to reach home to be with her three daughters.
“I never thought that I could be raped. I always said “It could never happen to me.” But it did. And to this day, I live with the regret that I thought nothing like that could ever happen to me.”
Stacy said that a man dressed in a black t-shirt and a black legging sneaked up behind her and grabbed her arms and dragged her into a clump of bushes.
“He covered my mouth with a piece of cloth and undressed my pants. I froze, my whole body went numb and I was unable to move.”
She added that the entire ordeal lasted for about seven minutes and after he was finished he told her “don’t walk back here so late.” Those words she said stuck with her.
The woman said that after the man left she quickly picked up her lunch bag and ran home. While running home she recalled smelling cooking oil and marijuana since that was the scent she got from the man that raped her.
While in her house the woman said that she went straight to the bathroom, where she showered and then went over to her mother’s house where she broke the news to her.
At about 23:15 hrs, Stacy and her mother went to the hospital where they told the nurses what had happened and she had a rape kit done on her.
She added that she never told her children what had transpired on that sad night, because she does not want them to be fearful. “Only my mother and the nurses that looked me after knew what transpired.”
She added that for months after the incident she had negative thoughts going through her mind. “I was shame and was in disbelief that something like that could happen to me. Thinking about that night sick my stomach.”
Stacy said that as the years go by, things are getting better and better and she is not thinking about what happened ten years ago. She said that now she only talks positively about herself and looks at life more positively. Stacy said that now she is happily married and living life to the fullest with her family.
As for that dark alleyway she doesn’t walk there anymore and she told her children to stay away from there also.
Sexual assault and rape are devastating for the victim and can cause many emotional, physical, and mental problems. Counseling is recommended for victims to help deal with the trauma of the experience.
So far for this year, 12 persons, including police officers, taxi drivers and a pastor have been placed before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to answer to rape charges.
Most rape accusers are granted bail, while a few are remanded to prison on his/her first court appearance depending on the circumstances surrounding the situation.
Most rape victims thus far for the year are between the age of three to 18 and the perpetrators are often family members and persons they know and trust.
All rape matters are held in-camera and the media and the public are asked to leave the courtroom.
In a most recent case a North West District man was charged for raping his six -year-old relative and was released on $200,000 bail.
According to information, the victim was left in the care of the accused and she requested to use the washroom. While the child was in the washroom, the accused allegedly went in behind her and indulged in sexual activity with her.
In another case, a City Constabulary rank found himself before the Chief Magistrate, for allegedly forcing a detained 15-year-old boy into a sex act.
He is alleged to have committed the offence at Regent Street Enquiries Outpost at City Hall.
According to reports, on the day in question the juvenile was arrested and taken into custody for loitering and placed on a bench to sit.
It was reported that around 23:00 hrs, a male constable woke the juvenile and told him to lie on his back, which he did. Shortly after the male rank returned and told him to stand by the washroom.
It was reported that the Lance Corporal returned and unbuttoned the juvenile’s pants, placed a condom on the juvenile’s private parts and instructed the teen to have sex with him.
A self-styled Bishop of La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara church will soon be going on trial for allegedly raping a female church member. The incident allegedly occurred at his East Bank Demerara residence. It was while the victim was at the pastor’s that he allegedly had sexually intercourse with her against her will.
And an ex-cop charged with raping a three-year-old was remanded to prison after being charged for having sex with the victim.
A taxi driver was also charged for rape and sexually assaulting two sex workers. It is allege that he tied up the sex workers and engaged in sexual penetration without their consent.
A 21-year-old police constable who allegedly raped an underage girl is also currently before the court. The Georgetown-based accused is alleged to have engaged in sexual activity with a child under the age of 16. It was reported that the accused and the teen used to communicate via a social media group. The teen’s parents allegedly found out about a sexual encounter between the two and reported the matter to the police.
A sixteen-year-old was also remanded for raping his seven-year-old cousin. According to information, the accused and the child live together and it was during the month of January last, he engaged in sexually activity with the child.
The child then told his mother of what transpired and she reported the matter to the police. An investigation was then carried out and the teen was arrested and charged.
A cop was also charged for raping his colleague. The 20-year-old was charged for having sexual intercourse with one of his colleagues at a city hotel against her will. According to information, on the day in question , the rank and an18-year-old Special Constable booked in at a hotel around 03:45 hrs, reportedly after a night-out together.
The victim alleged that the accused had sexual intercourse with her against her will. The matter was then reported and the accused was arrested for the offence.
Several reports suggest that rape accusers, when remanded to prison, are badly beaten by fellow inmates. A bus driver who is accused of raping his three year-old relative recently received a severe beating in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts at the hands of his fellow inmates.
Minutes after the accused was taken into the court lock-ups, police officer had to forced their way into the lock-ups and rescued him from the other inmates after they dealt him several kicks and punches about his body.
After being escorted to another holding area, blood was seen gushing from his mouth and several missing teeth were seen in his hand.
According to information the child was spending some time with the accused after she was left in his care.
When the child returned home to her mother she was crying and the mother, upon checking the child, observed that she was sexually assaulted.

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