Police being trained to effectively respond to child abuse cases

Members of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) are currently receiving training from the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security on two child protection legislations to enhance their response to child abuse cases.

This was disclosed by Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud, during the debut of her new programme, Info In Five, a weekly series providing insights into pressing issues and important updates, which premiered on Tuesday.
“Currently, the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security has embarked on a campaign where we are training police officers in every police station on two pieces of legislation—the Family Violence Act of 2024 and the 2009 Protection of Children Act. This is intended to ensure that the police carry out their duty and enforce the law,” Dr Persaud stated.

The minister noted that the prevalence of child abuse cases in Guyana remains a serious concern.
As such, she explained that her ministry has been working diligently to address all reported cases made to the police and the Child Care and Protection Agency (CCPA), while stressing the urgent need for all instances of child abuse to be reported.

Dr Persaud further highlighted the various avenues for reporting, assuring that cases would receive immediate attention.
“In fact, if you cannot report to the Guyana Police Force or a police station, the next point of reporting should be the Child Care and Protection Agency. You can do this by calling 914 or by making a report directly to any one of the Ministry of Human Services’ child protection offices across the country,” she emphasised.
Once a report is made, Dr Persaud explained that it will be investigated. In cases of sexual abuse or rape, a forensic interview will be conducted, and the child will be removed from the unsafe environment.

She clarified that the child is not necessarily placed into State care but may be placed with a safe and secure family member, who may not necessarily be a biological relative.
“The child cannot be removed solely by a police officer but must be removed in the presence of a child protection officer. Once the forensic interview is conducted, the Child Care and Protection Agency, either in collaboration with an NGO or independently, will provide the child with full support, including counselling,” Dr Persaud explained.

She added that a case file is then prepared by the GPF and forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for further action.