NINETY cases of sexual violence against children were reported during last year to the present, with the most incidents occurring in the community of Sophia.For this reason, Director of ChildLink Ms Omattie Madray, has issued a call for the presence of more Child Advocacy Centers (CAC) in regions across Guyana, given that Regions 3, 4 and 5 are the only ones that have a CAC.
The CAC was started in September 2013 in partnership with ‘Forward Guyana’ and the Ministry of Social Protection and the Child Protection Agency. The first center was set up in Georgetown to offer support for those children and families dealing with the trauma of sexual violence.
After much success, ChildLink brought its international partners on board, Family for Every Child, the European Delegation and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), which are all lead agencies that fund and implement projects fostered by ChildLink in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Protection.
Thereafter, CACs were expanded in Regions 3 and 5 whereas the other regions have to be dependent on the Guyana Police Force to aid in solving sexual violence cases.
“When we look at the statistics, Region 4 carries the highest figures since we are much more populated, but then again we don’t know about the unreported cases in this region, and even so in all regions,” said Madray.
The director explained that there is a growing number of reported cases of sexual violence against children. On an annual basis, she said, there are approximately 600 cases of sexual violence against children that the CACs in the identified regions would record.
“The community of Sophia carries the highest figures so far from Region 4 that are recorded by the CAC,” the director disclosed.
In view of Child Protection Week which will commence next week, under the theme “Strengthening Families to Protect Children,” Madray has issued a call for government to come fully on board to expand this CAC initiative in all regions across Guyana, given the worrying statistics. Madray is also urging the government to enforce the penalty for the perpetrators of sexual violence.
In 2011, ChildLink launched a “Tell” Campaign in 500 primary schools across Guyana, aimed at training teachers to interact with children who would often display symptoms of sexual violence or other forms of abuse.

By Shivanie Sugrim
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