Dear Editor,
I REFER to an article in Kaieteur News, November 24, 2017 captioned, ‘’ School sexual abuse allegations … GTU denounces sexual misconduct in school system,” in which the Guyana Teachers Union President, Mark Lyte, has been clear where his union stands on this grave issue of sexual misconduct by members of his union. His statements have been forthright, and objective, seeking to give balance to a scandal that has rocked the state’s school system.

However, as part of his statement he said, “We have to be cautious how we comment on this matter…” He also said that the procedures of the investigative process should be allowed to take its proper course (this is my understanding of that section of his pronouncements).

What Mr. Lyte needs to appreciate is that there is a pervasive rape culture that has, sadly, become part of the general Guyanese male psyche, and that decent citizens are fed up with it. It illustrates a sickening, caveman culture whereby our womenfolk, both young and old, are seen as prey and property, to be hunted and pursued like beasts, and finally taken down and physically devoured. Not even infants are spared this brutal ordeal.

This is the reality of what our women and girls face in Guyana – They have become an endangered species! We must not ever point to its occurrences in other parts of the world; for this abuse has now become a daily feature in our communities, as if it is a social past time – we are in deep crisis where sexual violence is concerned. And again, this is best illustrated by the recent case of a taxi driver brought to court for allegedly abusing a seven-year-old.

This particular case may very well have negative repercussions for taxi drivers being hired to transport children to schools.
Thus, the nation is fed up to its proverbial teeth, and is becoming very angry with the epidemic of sexual abuse in our society. Many of the women in the system have become acculturated to accept it as normalised behaviour; therefore, whatever comments that have been made, whether in print or electronic media, or via social media must be seen and understood against such a background; especially in a country where the conviction rate for sexual offences is exceedingly low.

Editor, I am certain that Mr. Lyte is aware of such incidents being swept under the carpet in the many schools where they have occurred. It would, I believe, do his union a great good, to begin regional seminars for educators, as a reminder that their employment responsibilities entail the shaping of young, impressionable minds and do not include sexual abuse; pressuring female students, grooming students, and harassing them when they refuse such advances.

The entire infrastructure that supports sexual predators needs to be deconstructed through our collective voices and actions.

Regards
Earl Hamilton