‘Fix the weak links in rape, child abuse response’ - Min. Persaud tells

(Kaieteur News) – Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, has issued a strong call for greater accountability, faster responses and closer collaboration among agencies dealing with child sexual abuse and rape, stressing that weaknesses within the system must be addressed to protect victims and secure justice better.

Minister Persaud made the call on Wednesday while delivering the keynote remarks at the opening of a Child Sexual Abuse Workshop hosted by the Ministry’s Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Policy Unit (SO&DVPU) at the Guyana Police Force Training Centre. The workshop brings together police officers, medical practitioners, child protection and probation officers, lawyers, school counsellors and other key professionals involved in responding to cases of sexual violence.

“Child sexual abuse is a crime. It has always been a crime,” Minister Persaud declared, noting that while Guyana has recorded progress, sexual violence remains a serious concern. According to a press release by her ministry she disclosed that 209 rape cases were recorded in 2025, while 85 were recorded between January and June 2026, marking a significant reduction.