Government has vowed to take the fight against child molesters to a higher plane through the mobilisation of popular sentiments and the already strengthened institutional and legislative framework. Head of the Presidential Secretariat and Cabinet Secretary, Dr Roger Luncheon, stated at his weekly post-Cabinet press briefing that government will focus on interventions aimed at curbing the societal ailment.
Dr Luncheon noted that the administration has already pledged $15M to the religious community, specifically for the establishment of facilities to house victims of abuse.
He added that financial approval has been given to set up one such shelter in Region Six where victims can secure a livelihood.
Particular emphasis will be placed on religious organisations where much intolerance for sexual offences already exists.
“Our intention is to keep pushing and working with interventions that would include mass mobilisation among social partners to prevent and curtail these offences. We are aware that in order to be effective, we must whip up the fervour of those opposing this behaviour,” the Cabinet Secretary said.
He re-emphasized government’s objection to the high prevalence of reported and unreported instances of sexual abuse, while urging Guyanese to prevent paedophilia from finding a home or place in society.
This new strategy will discredit aspersions cast on the administration’s ability to counter and solve this problem, Dr Luncheon said.
Recently, the Sexual Offences Bill, which was tabled by Minister of Human Services Priya Manickchand, was unanimously passed in the National Assembly.
The Bill is intended to revamp the archaic laws relating to sexual offences which are still in use today and the new proposed penalties.(GINA)