The vulnerable in our midst

THE news last week was peppered with unpleasant reports about the vulnerable in our midst. Paedophiles are stealing our children’s joy, trust and unfettered release that come with childhood. Parents are fearful, and rightly so, to entrust their children into the care of others — be they persons of the religious, business or teaching communities; or a neighbour or family member.
It is safe to say there is no sacred ground where our children are free from these sick minds.
For years paedophilia was a well-kept secret, wherein the violated were made to feel that if they make known the violations of their bodies and private spaces, they would be hurting the violators or their families. Victims were made to feel they were the offenders, and they carried this burden of guilt and shame silently, allowing the scourge to continue. According to the Children’s Assessment Centre, “Child sexual abuse is an issue that makes people extremely uncomfortable, because it hurts to think about anyone harming children. However, unreported or untreated child sexual abuse not only scars children and destroys families, it also leaves offenders free to abuse and cripple future generations.”

Thus when a child or parent comes forth and exposes the violation, they deserve our support, understanding and protection. Apart from having to relieve oneself of a guilt that should not be carried in the first instance, speaking out creates space and opportunity for healing, access to resources, and reintegration into the society. Our children must be allowed to live their childhood in its full splendour and abandonment, knowing that the family and/or State will protect them, and they need not fear reaching out for help at any time.

Paedophiles must not only be prosecuted and incarcerated, but where prison serves as a rehabilitative institution and a second chance is afforded on release, a national register must be established to keep abreast with the whereabouts of these persons, and their activities must be noted. It is known that, on release, some within this group return to their despicable conduct.

There continues to be reports of mental health issues, inclusive of suicide (attempted or committed), which cut across race, class, religion, gender and location. This nation has not been without its fair share of myths in dealing with issues, even though there exists a body of scientific evidence that refutes these myths. It is to our best interest and development to address socioeconomic, cultural and political matters by taking an evidence-based approach to them.
A young woman on the Essequibo Coast was freed from a filthy room. Her family claims she is mentally ill and physically abusive, hence shutting her away was the best option. The neighbours claim the lady was shut in because of an inter-racial relationship with which her family is displeased. There are two things happening here: One, it is an established fact that families, out of shame, fear of being stigmatized, or not knowing how to cope with mentally challenged loved ones, revert to shutting them in and treating them unkindly.

The other point is that of race. Though the needle on race relations has moved forward, it would be deceptive to think that Guyana has reached the stage of a colour/race-blind society. The truth be told, this has not happened in any multiracial society, including in developed countries such as the USA, Britain and Canada. Race relations is a matter of never-ending work, inclusive of teaching racial respect and tolerance, fostering and encouraging conversations on race, and making and enforcing laws on equality.

The other issue is the treatment of the homeless. Nobody, whether or not he/she has a home, deserves to be treated with disrespect. The homeless in our midst are homeless for various reasons. No pretence is made that the sight of persons roaming and establishing residency on the streets is pleasing. At the same time, it is an exercise in futility to think that addressing the matter in a less than humane manner will stem the problem.

The stated problems will not be solved by ignoring them, or through cruelty; but through visionary leadership that would recognise and appreciate our humanness, and acknowledge the requirement of strategy/strategiesthat would see systems being put in place to bring about effective solutions and safeguard the vulnerable in our midst.

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