THE Chronicle resumes today – as a Monday feature – this anti-crime advisory column. As the tagline states, the Chronicle, the community and the police must collaborate in the battle to reduce, if not eliminate, crime.Our contributor will work with the GPF’s Public Relations Unit, even as readers will be invited to contribute straight from their own communities.
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THE CRIME OF RAPE (PT 1)

ONE of the most insidious crimes against the person is rape and sexual assault. When a person forces himself or herself upon another without any consent whatsoever, that act represents not merely gross disrespect, but the baser instincts of human-kind on display.

Rape and assault cases are mostly perpetrated by males against females. There are, of course, cases involving persons of the same sex, females against males, and even husbands against wives.

A glance at our national newspapers and TV screens would reveal that this heinous crime seems to be on the increase in Guyanese society. Especially vulnerable are our school-girls and other teenagers.

Much of what follows is taken from Pamphlet Number 7 in the series “The Law and You”, published by the Guyana Association of Women Lawyers.

SOME TIPS…
1. Young ladies on outings, visits, tours or ordinary errands should endeavour to be in the company of others -– even when in buildings or with males they might have known in the past. Company is especially important when in strange places.

2. Observe whether young males are under the influence of hard drugs or alcohol. Avoid such company EVEN AT PRIVATE PARTIES, IN CLUBS, OR HOMES.

3. Whatever you do or wear, never give the impression of agreement or consent by your behaviour or the language you use. This could be used against you later (all this, of course, is applicable if you really have no intention of being intimate with your partner or would-be partner).

4. If you have been raped or otherwise sexually assaulted, you should make a report to the police as soon as possible after the incident. If you are unable to contact the police yourself, ask someone responsible to make the report for you, either by telephoning or going to the police station.

5. When you go to the police station, it is a good idea to have a friend or relative with you. You will have to give a statement to the police about what happened. You may find telling what happened and answering the police officer’s questions difficult, but you should try to give as much detail as possible.

6. After you make a report to the police, you will be sent to a doctor for a medical examination. Some of your clothing may be taken for a laboratory test.

If you are a female, a female officer or other responsible woman should go with you to the hospital or doctor’s surgery. If you are a male, a male police officer should go with you. If the victim is a child, a parent or guardian should go with the victim.

You should have a medical examination done within 24 hours of the assault. It is expected that modern rape-kits would be available.

7. The Medical report should be kept safely by both you and the police. It will be needed as evidence if the matter goes to court.
(NEXT WEEK, CRIMEWATCH WILL DISCUSS WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE ABOVE STAGE).