…a stark reminder that protection of children must never fall by the wayside
Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Priya Manickchand, has said that the gruesome nature of Neesa Lalita Gopaul’s death and her troubled life is a stark reminder that protection of children must never fall by the wayside. The Minister made this remark yesterday at a press conference convened to address concerns regarding investigations into the murder of the 16-year-old Queens College student.

The body of Neesa Gopaul, of 13 A Leonora Public Road, West Coast Demerara, was discovered about 14:45hrs on Saturday last at the Emerald Tower Resort, Madewini, Linden /Soesdyke Highway.
Minister Manickchand pointed out that over the years, the Government has placed considerable emphasis on the protection and well-being of all children, and this was manifested with the passing of several pieces of legislation, including the Protection of Children Act, Status of Children Act, Adoption of Children Act, and the Child Care and Protection Agency Act.
She highlighted that the role of the Childcare and Protection Agency is to implement policies, decisions and laws governing children and to protect vulnerable children who have been abused or neglected across Guyana, in keeping with the Agency’s mandate.
She indicated that since the Agency’s establishment, there have been 3,175 reported cases of child abuse, all of which have been investigated; of this number, 602 have been sexual abuse cases.
Seven hundred children have been placed in safe care, and 198 have been re-integrated with their families.
Alluding to the lives already impacted as a result of the Agency’s establishment, she said, “this is an agency established to look after Guyana’s children and it has been functioning relatively well.”
In addition, the Agency is obligated to fully investigate all reports of suspected abuse and to provide information to the police for action to be taken against perpetrators.
“I sincerely regret that the Childcare and Protection Agency’s intervention in this particular case was not as effective as it should have been, and fell short of the high standard that has been set by the Agency,” Manickchand said.
She revealed that an internal review of the action taken by officials following reports made concerning Neesa’s case has since been ordered to determine where the system erred, why it erred, and what collaborative efforts are required to prevent such breaches and their obvious consequences in the future.
The findings of this investigation, she indicated will be released by November 5, along with the necessary recommendations.
Manickchand stressed, “I strongly believe that much more could have and should have been done to protect this girl, by all of the authorities, sectors and persons who were aware of the complaints of this young girl.”
She stressed that more could have been done by the Childcare and Protection Agency, as the written procedures and protocols for addressing complaints prescribe that more should have been done.
“We have to use this as an opportunity to perfect a good system that has served many children ever since its establishment,” she stated.
The Minister placed the call for quicker, more decisive and comprehensive action to be taken at all levels in all sectors to remove children from abusive environments, which, as in the case of Neesa Gopaul, can have fatal consequences.
“As we go forward, we must, as a people, resolve to do whatever it takes to save the other Neesas of Guyana; we must ensure that across the sectors, the systems we have in place work; and we must never give up on perfecting those systems and protecting our children,” she emphasized.
Manickchand also urged family members, educators and communities to report instances of child abuse, regardless of where it may be occurring, as this system of disclosure has been effective in the past in protecting vulnerable children.
“This horrific incident must serve to make our various efforts stronger,” the Minister stated.
She also pointed out that the law provides for police action in such cases as Neesa’s; but at the present time, she is unable to ascertain what actions had been taken by the Police.
Addressing concerns for the well-being of Neesa’s five-year-old sister, the Minister gave assurances that all of her interests will be protected.
“The agency is aware of how she is going to be cared for,” she said.
In closing, Minister Manickchand appealed for persons to be patient and cognizant of the fact that the matter will be appropriately addressed when the findings and recommendations are revealed in three weeks time.