AN anonymous reporting system is being developed by the Bishops’ High School Old Students’ Association (BHSOSA) in light of the recent sexual allegations levelled against Coen Jackson, the school’s Business and Economics teacher.

Sensitisation sessions will also be done to equip students with the necessary information on abuse and the process of reporting any act of abuse or victimisation. Jackson has been accused of sexually grooming young girls at the senior secondary school.

The matter was investigated at the level of the Ministry of Education and the Childcare and Protection Agency (C&PA) and has since been handed over to the police. Commander ‘A’ Division Marlon Chapman told the Guyana Chronicle Friday that Jackson has not yet been interviewed, but investigations are ongoing in the matter. He was not at liberty to state how many victims have so far come forward.

Jackson for his part has denied the allegations. Meanwhile, the Alumni at its recent extraordinary general meeting Tuesday outlined what it believes to be the way forward for the teachers and students of the senior secondary school. At the November 28, 2017 meeting, which comprised Alumni and 6th Form students, the BHSOSA indicated that mechanisms are being put in place immediately to train teachers to detect and report allegations and incidents of sexual abuse and harassment.

In a statement, the association noted that in collaboration with the C&PA, teaching staff will receive training in protocols for sexual abuse and abuse in general which is aimed at enhancing the capability of teachers to detect and report allegations and incidents of abuse and harassment. Additionally, a recommendation will be made to employ child protection and related policies within the school, a statement from the sssociation stated on Thursday.

The association assured that mentoring and counselling for psychological trauma will be implemented with immediate effect and will be available to both students and teachers.
“Sessions co-ordinated and lead by alumni will be held to sensitise the male students of the school about sexual harassment, abuse, gender equality and ethics. Sessions will commence next week,” the statement added.

The statement compiled by President of the Association, Emily Dodson, said the high school, one of the leading co-educational institutions in Guyana, is known for its esteemed status throughout Guyana. Dodson noted that while the institution has encouraged its students to not only achieve academic success but to be exemplary and well-rounded students, “recent events have put a negative spotlight on the school and have challenged all, especially The Bishops’ High School Old Students’ Association (BHSOSA), to find immediate solutions.”

The BHSOSA “unequivocally condemns any act of sexual misconduct and abuse against students in and out of The Bishops’ High,” and called on the Ministry of Education to immediately commission an inquiry into the issue of sexual misconduct, abuse and subsequent reporting in the school.

Moreover, the association called for policies and protocols to be put in place to ensure that such behaviour is eliminated and students are encouraged to report such matters without fear of ridicule or repercussions. Dodson said many students and teachers alike have complained that they have been subject to ridicule and abuse by members of the public as they commute to and from school, and called on the public to refrain from acts of aggression and hostility towards teachers and students.

“BHSOSA hereby condemns such conduct and hopes that the Guyana Police Force and other relevant authorities take the relevant steps to protect all students and teachers from such negative behaviour,” the BHSOSA President stated, while assuring teachers and students of the school that the association will ensure that the environment is safe.

“Moreso, to the victims, we reach out to you. We are truly sorry for the ordeals that you have experienced and suffered, and want you to know that we support you. What you experienced is unimaginable, but we want to commend you for your strength and undying resilience.

As a result of your actions, a cycle has been broken. If you need any sort of help and support, please contact any member of the Executive Committee of BHSOSA,” the statement said. Additionally, the BHSOSA has called on protestors from protesting in front of the school’s premises so as to ensure that the students are able to be instructed in an environment that is conducive to learning. “BHSOSA thanks the general public and interest groups for their concern with the safety and well-being of the students of the Bishops’ High School and requests their continued support as we seek justice for victims of abuse,” the statement added.

One of Jackson’s alleged victims recently publicly commented on the matter. On the young woman’s Facebook page, she said she never considered herself a victim of anyone or anything until same was pointed out to her. She noted that as a teenager, she had suffered from depression, which made her an easy target “for someone I’ve now come to recognise as a sexual predator.” “From the time I was 15, I spent the rest of my years of my life up until now normalising indignity after indignity, so much that when it finally ended, I felt barely human to myself.

I couldn’t tell anyone everything that happened to me because the most relatable thing I could say was that I was betrayed; I was also forbidden to speak about it by the offender. Betrayal is easy to swallow and take pity on,” she detailed.

The young woman said one year after her relationship with Jackson ended she suffered from anxiety attacks and felt ashamed to tell anyone what had happened to her. But it was in September when she met her current partner that she opened up about her experience.