TIP victims ID policemen, trafficker – rape charges to be instituted

By Svetlana Marshall –

Rape charges are likely to be instituted against two policemen and an alleged human trafficker after they were positively identified by the young ladies who were rescued from the sex trade last weekend. On Tuesday, the two victims who were allegedly raped by two ranks in the Sherima Police Station positively identified their assailants.
The ranks and the woman were also identified by two other persons who witnessed part of the trafficking incident.
Rescued
Over the weekend, the Guyana Women Miners’ Organisation (GWMO), led by the 2013 U. S. TIP Hero Simona Broomes, rescued the 14-, 16-, 18-, and 20-year-old victims from 14 Mile Issano, Region Seven.
The 26-year-old approached Broomes in Bartica to relate the tale and get her 16- year-old friend out.
According to Broomes, the 26-year-old victim on Tuesday positively identified the policemen. The 16-year-old, who was described as “nervous” during the parade, was unable to identify the ranks.
However, the truck driver and another individual who were at the Sherima Police Station positively identified the policemen.
Both victims positively identified the alleged trafficker.
Speaking with Guyana Times International, Broomes said she was elated that GWMO is one step closer to putting another trafficker and delinquent ranks who have failed the system behind bars.
While, the GWMO president is happy that the perpetrators will face the court soon, she is disappointed that the victims were made to wait for some time before the ID parade was executed.
Compounding the situation, the young ladies were reportedly forced to sit in CID headquarters in wet clothes.
Broomes explained that the victims and their belongings were drenched during their journey from Bartica to Parika on Monday afternoon.
After reporting to Police Headquarters, Eve Leary, Georgetown late Monday night, the victims then travelled to Mahaicony. “By the time, they got to the Help and Shelter Home in Mahaicony… there was no way in which the clothes could have dried because they had to wake up and reach here (CID) for nine o’ clock.”
According to Broomes, the entire ordeal was explained to the Human Services Ministry, but to no avail. The young ladies were initially promised a change of clothing, but were subsequently told that they would have to wait until another day.
A request was made to have the young ladies taken to purchase appropriate garments but this request by the GWMO was denied as well.
Human Services Ministry has promised to intervene after being contacted by the president of the women’s organisation.
Special home
Broomes called for the Human Services Ministry to provide a special home in the city for TIP victims, noting that while the organisation is grateful for the assistance given by Help and Shelter, there is need for a special home.
Broomes is also pressing for ranks of the Guyana Police Force, TIP Unit officers, and interested members of the public to be trained in the area of human trafficking, as it relates to the treatment of victims.
“We have to undertake a study to know a victim of trafficking: How they respond – their language; things that they need – how important it is to make them feel comfortable; and not for us to talk to them as though they were in the interior,” she said.
Main perpetrator
On April 21, four girls, aged 14, 15, 17 and 18 were rescued from prostitution in the Puruni Back Dam, Region Seven by Broomes and her GWMO members.
Shortly after, a policeman was charged with human trafficking. He was accused of trafficking one of the four girls.
A popular Bartica businesswoman who was identified by the girls as the main perpetrator was arrested and charged approximately two weeks ago. She is reportedly behind bars awaiting the completion of her case.
Meanwhile, the four girls are being reintegrated into society while being accommodated by Help and Shelter. The 14-year-old girl will soon be attending classes, compliments of Broomes.