The European Union, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and Blossom, a local Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), on Friday May 20, 2016 launched the Travelling Exhibition in Region 10, at the Egbert Benjamin Conference Centre and Exhibition Hall in Mackenzie, Linden.

According to a release from the EU, the exhibition of drawings prepared by sexually abused children has been moving across the country.  It was first launched in April in Region 4 by First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger and in early May was launched in Region 6 at the Whim Police Station. It is the intention to have the Travelling Exhibition taken across all Regions of Guyana.

It was noted that Mr Derek Lambe, Chargé d’affaires a.i, of the EU Delegation in Guyana, speaking at the opening ceremony in Region 10 said that, ”the Travelling Exhibition aims to show through the eyes of the aggrieved child, the injury, injustice and lifelong scars that remain after sexual abuse.”

Mr Lambe also said that some scientists argue that there are clear links between sexual abuse and permanent changes in the brain, which can result in psychiatric problems.  The problems  range from panic attacks to posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, suicidal tendencies and even aggression, impulsiveness, delinquency, hyperactivity, and substance abuse, and that these can show up at any stage of the abused child’s life – in childhood, adolescence and even in adulthood.

The EU Chargé d’affaires a.i. closed by appealing to all present and to all Guyanese to join efforts to rid Guyana of child sexual abuse.  He said that child sexual abuse threatens the country’s greatest asset and the sustainable development that Guyana seeks.

The Travelling Exhibition is open to the public and all are invited to view the images painted by the children who participated in creative and art therapy facilitated by volunteer Ms. Sigrid Sandker.

The Exhibition is another of the many undertakings by the EU and UNICEF to curb the growing number of cases of child sexual Abuse in Guyana.  The EU and UNICEF are both in the vanguard of promoting the eradication of child sexual abuse.