See full statement from Minister of Human Services and Social Security Dr Vindhya Persaud:
I wish to record my disappointment and concern at the seemingly lenient approach adopted by courts as recent as today.
The case involving Selena Sookram who has been the subject of constant violent bloody abuse at the hands of her partner, being a case in point.
The court saw it fit to release the alleged perpetrator on bail on the paltry sum of $40,000. Worse yet, the court permits him to have custody of the child on weekends. I am informed that the child witnessed the brutalities and may have been hurt in the process.
The bloody and battered face of the survivor was prominently displayed on social media.
When our Government enacted the Family Violence Bill in 2024, it was our fervent hope that the tough measures contained in the Act would have provided a more robust protective legislative framework. It is obvious that the new legislation is not being used.
This is a travesty! The people are not benefiting from the laws that are being enacted.
How can we keep survivors of violence safe , many of them women, with these decisions handed down by courts that seem to be devoid of concern for the realities of survivors who are wrested from violent situations by Ministry of Human Services and Guyana Police Force, many times to save their lives.
The Ministry of Human Services continues to work to provide safe shelter, psychosocial and socio-economic support and to work along with the Guyana Police Force to remove and support women caught in these violent situations.
I encourage other relevant state agencies to discharge their duties in this regard.
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