Child Protection and Investigations – Guyana Times

The safety and well-being of children should be a priority for any society. Yet, alarming reports of sexual abuse of minors continue to emerge in Guyana. These reports highlight a worrying deficiency in child protection mechanisms.
The incident involving an 11-year-old girl who gave birth at the Georgetown Public Hospital on Wednesday is the most horrific. This and other recent cases, including a child accused of dousing her father in hot oil after years of abuse, have shown that while awareness of the problem is growing, there is still a critical gap in the way these cases are investigated and handled, particularly by the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA) and the Guyana Police Force (GPF). These agencies must do more to ensure that every report of abuse is treated with the seriousness it deserves.
When a child reports sexual abuse, it is not only a report of a criminal act, but also a cry for protection and justice. Yet, in many cases, there seems to be an alarming trend of delayed responses, incomplete investigations and poor coordination between relevant authorities. Such failures often result in re-traumatization of victims, impunity for perpetrators and families losing trust in the system.
The CPA, as the primary agency responsible for child protection in Guyana, plays a critical role in protecting vulnerable children. However, there have been instances where its actions have been reactionary and only intervened after a case has gained public attention, often via social media. The CPA needs to be more proactive and ensure that investigations are conducted promptly, thoroughly and transparently from the moment a report is made. Failure to do so will continue to put children at risk and embolden perpetrators.
The GPF must also take responsibility for addressing this issue. Police officers must treat cases of child sexual abuse with greater care and urgency. Any delay in investigating a report of child abuse increases the risk of further harm to the child and reduces the chance of a successful prosecution. The police must work closely with the CPA to ensure that cases are not only properly investigated but that victims are protected throughout the process.
In addition to investigating and prosecuting cases, Guyana must address the broader social and cultural factors that enable sexual violence against children. Too often, victims are silenced by fear, stigma or lack of trust. Education and awareness campaigns are crucial to changing this dynamic. Schools, community leaders and parents must all be involved in conversations about protecting children, recognizing the signs of abuse and knowing where to seek help. Year after year, in budget after budget, the government has provided funding to the Ministry of Human Services, the CPA and the police for such programs, but to a large extent, the allocation of resources earmarked for child protection is still marked by inefficiency.
Every child has the right to grow up in an environment free from violence and exploitation.
It is time for real action, not just rhetoric. The children of Guyana deserve a system that protects them, supports them and delivers justice when they are wronged.