Jagdeo Demands Greater Police Accountability in Domestic Violence Cases
By | HGP Nightly News
Published: August 6, 2025
Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo has issued a strong call for greater police accountability in handling domestic and sexual violence cases, saying the system has repeatedly failed to protect women and girls in Guyana.
Speaking on a radio program Monday afternoon, the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) leader condemned what he described as the chronic lack of seriousness with which many such reports are treated. Although Guyana has laws on the books to protect victims, Jagdeo emphasized that enforcement is lagging, and police officers must be held accountable when they ignore or mishandle reports of abuse.
“I’ve seen many cases where the police don’t pay enough attention. They don’t take it seriously—and we need to ensure greater accountability,” Jagdeo said.
Deadly Consequences of Inaction
Jagdeo referenced multiple high-profile cases in which women were killed by current or former partners, sometimes after reaching out to authorities for help. He also addressed the Adriana Younge case, a matter that drew national attention and exposed serious flaws in the system, including alleged misinformation and cover-ups by law enforcement.
“Look at that Adriana Younge matter—when they lied and created a whole ton of problems for people. We’re talking about that internally,” he stated.
Startling Statistics
According to the Guyana Women’s Health and Life Experiences Survey, an alarming 55% of women in the country have experienced at least one form of violence, while 38% have faced physical or sexual abuse. Over 10% reported such abuse within the past 12 months.
In 2023, the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security reported 257 domestic violence cases and 36 sexual offense matters—a sharp decline from 2022’s nearly 900 reports. However, advocates warn that many cases go unreported due to fear, stigma, or distrust in the system.
What the Government Says It’s Doing
Jagdeo stated that the government is actively addressing the issue through:
- Increased subventions to NGOs supporting abuse victims
- Strengthening of the Child Protection Agency
- Passage of stricter laws related to domestic abuse and sexual violence
Still, the Vice President acknowledged that legislation alone isn’t enough. He stressed the importance of public mindset change, community engagement, and a culture that refuses to tolerate abuse.
“This is not just a task for the government. We want to work with the religious community across Guyana and NGOs to create a culture of intolerance toward violence,” he said.
A National Crisis in Need of Urgent Action
His remarks come amid what many are calling a national crisis of gender-based violence in Guyana. Advocates have long demanded more resources, shelters, and swifter intervention from both the police and the judiciary. Now, the pressure is on the government to match its words with urgent, visible action.
As families grieve and survivors speak out, the question remains: Will the system change fast enough to protect the next woman in danger?
