Dear Editor
Following the media revelation of the brutal monstrosity of sexual violence perpetrated on a female Venezuelan national, at a TucVille residence, there was widespread condemnation of an act that could have only been committed by an animal belonging to the deep recesses of the jungle. That such public opprobrium had been expected, conveys an indication that society is only too well aware of such an abhorrent deviancy that continues to desecrate the national landscape. At best, it is a scourge that can only be removed by very condign judicial measures, apart from the fact of a need for continuing public education as to the physical and emotional trauma which the numerous victims do experience in their post-recovery life, if they ever do.
Among the condemnation, there was one very illustrative press release, originating from the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry(GCCI). In its many paragraphs, it spared no language in letting the nation understand, not only its unequivocal disapproval of such predatory behaviour, but also as to where it stands. This is as much that I do recall from its statement.
Of course, this senior Private Sector body expressed the correct thoughts on an act which by its sheer ferocity, displayed a kind of person who does not qualify to be categorized as human, but who instead falls outside the shade of humanity. Therefore, the business and commerce organization, should be commended for its very forthright statement, expected on such a jungle criminality.
But I must ask a question, for unless I may have missed any such prior release from the GCCI – is it the first time that such a body has condemned sexual violence in our society? And if so, why only now? I ask this, because I am ignorant of any such coming from the GCCI, OR ITS UMBRELLA, the PSC, on this particular criminal blight.
If it is indeed so, then the GCCI is perhaps guilty of opportunism, particularly given the fact of the nationality, of the victim, who is just one of thousands of Venezuelans that have sought refuge in Guyana since the political crises in their bordering state. Further, one may also query whether the GCCI in such circumstance, does not feel compel to speak out, given the fact that many citizens of this nationality are now employed by private city businesses, in addition to some, having their own businesses?
Editor, as an aside, let me reiterate this fact, that there is no prejudice on my part against any of our neighbours coming to Guyana, and being able to find the means of legitimate sustenance, more so, from very difficult circumstance which may have forced them to do so. But this is contingent on our Guyanese not being denied similar opportunities, from a sector that is known for its traditional notoriety of traditional employment record of ethnic discrimination against a particular section of the national demographics.
It is even recalled of the double standard that this particular sector in conjunction with partisan others applied, hostilely in the case of the Haitians, transiting Guyana; but publicly spoke about sourcing humanitarian aid for the Venezuelans, whose numbers continue to grow throughout our coastal belt.
But back to the main of this letter. Without fear or favour to any, sexual violence and interpersonal violence has assumed pandemic proportions that now occupies a major spot at the top tier of social ills in almost every region, and country. It therefore, cuts across all nationalities and ethnicities, and must irrevocably be cause for concern and be condemned. It is not an issue which must be abhorred, depending on which nationality/ethnicity is the victim or affected. For we must always remember that it always mostly women who suffer this personal physical degradation. And whether it is our mother, wife, sister, daughter, granddaughter , or neice; even friend or neighbor, PUBLIC OR PRIVATE SECTOR – it must be spoken out against. Regards
Troy Douglas
