The Me Too Movement, founded in 2006 by Tarana Burke, has unarguably raised global awareness of the pandemic of sexual violence, perpetuated against young women. In fact, this social media driven advocacy, giving voice to vulnerable survivors internationally, has singularly promoted that much-needed global conversation, on the pervasive exploitation and oppression of young women, more so those marginalised by race, class, or other intersecting identities.
However, despite universal commendation, Me Too challenging established status quo, has predictably encountered much patriarchy resistance, with unsubstantiated concerns on denied due process, false accusation potentials and ideological framing. But even though being of limited funding from the patriarchal corporate world, Me Too has nonetheless continue the argument for gender equality, facilitated by dedicated communities of advocates, whilst providing healing through actionable support for survivors.
However, despite these limitations, Me Too social activism untiringly pursues its agenda, underpinned by WHO pronouncement: Sexual violence or rape, represents an important public health burden affecting the sexual, reproductive and mental health of survivors. And it is this WHO pronouncement, when viewed in the context of data extracted from the National Sexual Violence Resource Centre, that brings into sharp focus the inescapable gravity of the global crisis. In fact, exploration of this data is most astounding: 1 in 5 women, translating to 85,000 of our women population, would become tragic victims of rape at some point in their lives.
Then, compounding this prevalence, is the anguished reality that rape, represent the most under-reported crime, with only 37% of cases engaging authorities, even as an unspeakable 88% of child sex abuses go unreported. But even as the unreported 88% is contemplated, these excruciating statistics exacerbate an already ominous reality: 1 in 4 of our girls would’ve to confront sexual abuse before they register their 18th birthday.
Moreover, even as these agonising statistics, vis-à-vis prevalence and reporting, are distressingly internalised, attention must be brought to the lifelong burden of survivors. In fact, this lifelong burden, afflicting both physical and mental health, is symptomatically evident in trauma related conditions, such as Rape Trauma Syndrome and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
For these trauma related conditions, recording a prevalence of 94%, is characterised by horrific flashbacks and nightmares, associated with trigger precipitating anger, complicated by dissociations, which represent psychological attempts to disconnect from the traumatic experience.
Further, compounding these trauma related conditions, survivors must endure other mental health struggles, inclusive of debilitating depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, emotional lability and sleep problems. Then, aggravating these mental health struggles, are the physical sequelae exemplified by Sexually Transmitted Diseases, HIV, unwanted pregnancies, along with injuries, namely vaginal and anal lacerations etc.
Thus, considering these physical and mental burdens, in the context of pervasive sexual violence against our women, one would be compelled to examine PPP candidacy decision on Nigel Dharamlall. For inescapable is his sordid record: Alleged sexual predator, standing accused of abusing his ministerial office, to first groom a vulnerable 15yr old girl, who he then allegedly raped and sodomised at age 16. Then, facing such troubling allegations, Dharamlall with PPP protection, allegedly coerced the teenage girl to withdraw her complaint, which coincided with the DPP inexplicably not recommending charges.
However, this is the irrefutable scientific evidence, sexual predators by compulsion, are known to be repeat offenders. Which means, Dharamlall through apparent compulsion, was almost immediately beset with yet another predatory sexual assault allegation. But guided by PPP modus operandi, protection was inevitably forthcoming, with the DPP once again instructed not to recommend charges, disregarding the beyond reproach credibility of both complainant and complaint.
Therefore, with his sordid record as an evidentiary exhibit, Nigel Dharamlall who twice evaded justice, would most certainly fail the fit and proper person test, in support of his candidature in the 2025 elections. However, informed by PPP misogynistic constitution, his protection was unquestionably assured, not dissimilar to other alleged sexual predators, namely Kwame Mc Coy MP, Allister Charlie MP, Pandit Vikash Ramkissoon MP, Ganga Persaud et al. Thus, this misogynistic record, including sexual, domestic and public abuses of our women, should inform the irrefutable conclusion, PPP is not deserving of the women vote nor that of right-thinking men.
