VICTIMS of sexual or domestic abuse or individuals who might have knowledge of cases involving these forms of abuse now have an online platform to report such cases and have them handled by the relevant authorities.

A website, reportabusegy.com was recently launched to facilitate these reports which will be redirected to the Child Care and Protection Agency (CCPA) in the case of children and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) in the case of adults. Though its developer remains anonymous, one of the website’s facilitators, rights activist Akola Thompson, explained that the idea was birthed after a former Bishops’ High School teacher, Coen Jackson was accused of sexually abusing a number of female students.

“Following the Bishops High School fiasco, we noticed that a lot of the victims were saying to us that they had made reports, not police reports, but to the school’s administration in hope of those reports reaching the police force. But those [reports] were stifled. So we recognized the need for an online platform to report these cases, despite age or any other factor, and have them handled” Thompson shared.

The website requires the individual making the report to complete a short form which is then taken to the CCPA or the GPF for action to be taken.
Thompson explained that the developers initially wanted the site to be an anonymous reporting system, but the legal aspects does not allow it, since an identity is needed for a police report. However, she was keen to note that all reports and identities will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality.

To assure potential reporters of this, she said that all of the site monitors are people who belong to civil society organisations that work directly with sexual assault and domestic violence cases.
“We couldn’t rely on volunteers for this. When you’re dealing with sexual abuse and domestic violence cases, confidentiality remains one of the biggest issues. So that’s why we chose to have people whose work is grounded in those areas to monitor the site” the rights activist said.

In addition to the reported cases being transferred to the relevant authorities, Thompson said that the site also offers counseling services and court support services.
“We can’t just send in a report and say our job is done. So if, in addition to sending in a report, individuals need counseling, we are there to offer that support.
We also began collaboration with SASOD [Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination] who recently launched their free legal aid services and they have agreed to be part of the platform and provide free legal aid to victims” Thompson said.

In addition, the facilitators are also reaching out to other agencies, including the legal aid clinic, for support, since submissions are already being made.
“We are already receiving submissions. So as this grows, we will definitely need more support from relevant agencies” she said.