‘Inhumane’ to use children to get at partners – Human Services Minister

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr Vindhya Persaud strongly condemned those who use children as leverage during conflicts with their partners, describing such actions as “unacceptable, inexcusable and inhumane.”

Minister Persaud was referring to the two recent instances where two young children were video recorded being abused by their parents in attempts to get at each other’s partners.

“I could not wrap my head, I still cannot to see that people in relationships are leveraging their children using them as tools and just be violent with them to get at a partner, that is unacceptable, inexcusable, inhumane,” Minister Persaud said a recent event to raise awareness on sexual abuse.

Two deeply troubling videos were posted on social media, sparking outrage. In both instances, the perpetrators were arrested, and the children were taken to safer environments.

However, Minister Persaud noted that although these videos were widely shared on social media, posting such further harms by exposing the children to public censure. And so, she urged people to do better and report such incidents to relevant authorities.

“When we put a child out there, we are putting a child for the public censure for the public, don’t do that, that child still has to survive and live,” Minister Persaud highlighted.

Minister Persaud also pointed out that while the ministry intervenes at critical moments in these cases by providing key forensic interviews and compiling reports, it is not a law enforcement agency. Once forensic interviews are completed, the information is forwarded to the Guyana Police Force. To further enhance support in such cases, a state-owned forensic interview unit is slated to be opened at the Vergenoegen Centre, East Bank Essequibo.

Minister Persaud also announced that the 2013 Child Advocacy Protocol is being revised.

“There will be a new protocol where I will be convening a meeting with all stakeholders so that we can strengthen our response to these cases,” she said.

Addressing the broader issue of unhealthy relationships, Minister Persaud revealed plans for a comprehensive Partner Assault programme aimed at addressing relationship issues.

“We must tell people if relationships are unhealthy, there is no shame in getting out of them, that is a taboo, because if you speak to people, they feel they are being judged, they feel they have failed somehow when they leave a relationship,” Minister Persaud explained.

Additionally, the minister mentioned programmes offered by the ministry that offer empowerment classes and courses specifically designed for women who have experienced violence.