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The Special Measures Room

May 8 2019

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A brand new Sexual Offences Court, estimated to cost around $9 million, was commissioned at the High Court in Berbice yesterday morning.

Stabroek News was told that the furniture for the courtroom is estimated to have cost around $1.5 million along with  Skype equipment estimated to be $1.4 million, audio recording equipment $2.7 million, and infrastructural work for the courtroom and the special measures room, a total of $3 million, among other expenditures.

However, the lawyers’ robing room, which was once situated where the Sexual Offences Court is now located, has since been relocated to another area of the High Court. This newspaper was told that some $2 million was spent on the relocation of that room.

Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards, Chancellor of the Judiciary, (ag), who delivered the feature address yesterday, reminded the gathering that in November, 2017, the first Sexual Offences Court was opened in Georgetown. As such, in an effort to decentralise the services of such a court, they have moved to Berbice and are expected to open a similar court in Essequibo.

Justice Cummings-Edwards pointed out that over the years, the major challenge in addressing sexual violence in the Caribbean was the lack of specialised interventions. She also highlighted the long lasting impact sexual abuse has on survivors. 

She said that victims of sexual offences have special needs, which require specialised skills to be possessed by the police, prosecutors and court. “Therefore, there must be a developed, dedicated court and personnel operating from a specialised court with specialised equipment that will respond to these special needs. And with the rise in incidents of sexual offences, these specialised measures are needed now more than ever,” she stated.

Justice Cummings-Edwards said that the main aim of sexual offences courts are to ensure that the environment is conducive to both victims and offenders. “… and as such, we have furnished this with the necessary equipment to protect the victims from having to see the accused and other persons in the courtroom, and the courtroom features a witness screen, which will shield the victim from the accused and others. We also have a testifying room, which is the same as the special measures room, which will allow the victim to give his/her evidence without having to enter the courtroom,” Cummings-Edwards related. This, she said, will ensure greater coordination of services between the court, support agencies, victims and witnesses.

Meanwhile, she relayed that since November, 2017 to March, 2019, there have been 53 sexual offences cases tried in the Georgetown Sexual Offences Court, with a total of 33 convictions and 20 acquittals.  She noted that sentences for such convictions range from nine-year imprisonments, to life imprisonments.

The offences for which trials were conducted include seven rape cases, 21 cases related to the rape of a child under 16-years-old, 15 cases of sexual activity with a family member and one carnal knowledge case.

From a total of 53 cases, 41 were females and three males. The ages of the female victims in the cases ranged from three-years-old to 25 years, and the age range of the male victims was three-years-old to 14-years-old.

Cummings-Edwards said that to date, there are 37 sexual offences cases in the Berbice Assizes.

Meanwhile, Sylvia Fouet, UNICEF Resident Representative for Suriname and Guyana, said that in collaboration with the British High Commission and Guyana’s judiciary, they are hoping to open a Sexual Offences Court in Suddie, Essequibo, before the end of 2019.

“It is part of a bigger programme. As we know, sexual violence remains a silent emergency and count on UNICEF to support and present a response to this issue,” she said.

Replies sorted oldest to newest

This is a much-needed court in Berbice for sexual offenses. Let's say congratulation to the coalition government. This thread was untouched until I commented on it. Coolie, all you bad fuh day with hatred.  

FM
Prince posted:

This is a much-needed court in Berbice for sexual offenses. Let's say congratulation to the coalition government. This thread was untouched until I commented on it. Coolie, all you bad fuh day with hatred.  

Shet you dumb skoant! Why do you pick on Berbice Indians? Looks like a Berbice coolie man must have really hurt you very badly to leave an indelible, unforgettable event in your life. Don't worry, this will come to pass when another coolie man patkay you on your head.

FM

Whether by the PPP or PNC, this is a welcoming  initiative for women in Berbice  who are often  at a disadvantage in relationships.

Berbicians should he pleased that it was not  implemented  in Georgetown, where it might be knocked down as a 'black man thing'.

The next stage is in Essequibo, with another Indo Guyanese population. 

Instead of criticizing the Sexual Assault Court, why attack the individual ? Because you already lost all your marbles  and credibility.  

It speaks volumes that those who support Berbicians and the PPP,  don't comment on this initiative. Because they don't have the balls to say it is welcoming program.

When a robbery or attack occurs, most on GNI jump on the band wagon to knock down the government as not doing enough to prevent it, but when they do something positive, their mouth is in the elephant  backside filling slopcans.    

Tola
Tola posted:

Whether by the PPP or PNC, this is a welcoming  initiative for women in Berbice  who are often  at a disadvantage in relationships.

Berbicians should he pleased that it was not  implemented  in Georgetown, where it might be knocked down as a 'black man thing'.

The next stage is in Essequibo, with another Indo Guyanese population. 

Instead of criticizing the Sexual Assault Court, why attack the individual ? Because you already lost all your marbles  and credibility.  

It speaks volumes that those who support Berbicians and the PPP,  don't comment on this initiative. Because they don't have the balls to say it is welcoming program.

When a robbery or attack occurs, most on GNI jump on the band wagon to knock down the government as not doing enough to prevent it, but when they do something positive, their mouth is in the elephant  backside filling slopcans.    

Hope it doesn’t turn out like your suicide program with another adverse effect.

Bibi Haniffa

Given the callousness with which some of these offenders operate and the sheltering some family members provide, special courts are a good move.  They should pass new laws addressing those who knowingly suppress info and shield perpetrators.  Much of this happeneds within families!

Also, more severe penalties should be instituted when it involves kids.  Make it capital 

FM
Bibi Haniffa posted:
Tola posted:

Whether by the PPP or PNC, this is a welcoming  initiative for women in Berbice  who are often  at a disadvantage in relationships.

Berbicians should he pleased that it was not  implemented  in Georgetown, where it might be knocked down as a 'black man thing'.

The next stage is in Essequibo, with another Indo Guyanese population. 

Instead of criticizing the Sexual Assault Court, why attack the individual ? Because you already lost all your marbles  and credibility.  

It speaks volumes that those who support Berbicians and the PPP,  don't comment on this initiative. Because they don't have the balls to say it is welcoming program.

When a robbery or attack occurs, most on GNI jump on the band wagon to knock down the government as not doing enough to prevent it, but when they do something positive, their mouth is in the elephant  backside filling slopcans.    

Hope it doesn’t turn out like your suicide program with another adverse effect.

That's not true. You are still here. 

Mitwah

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