In a significant move to enhance child protection services, the Guyanese government has announced plans to establish a state-owned forensic interview unit dedicated to investigating child abuse cases. This initiative, set to launch by the end of 2025 or early 2026, marks a crucial development in the country’s efforts to address the growing concern of child abuse and provide more effective support for young victims.
Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, unveiled the plans during a recent press conference at the National Communications Network (NCN) in Georgetown. The new unit, part of a broader project supported by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), aims to streamline the investigation process and create a safe environment for child victims to share their experiences.
“One of the major things we are working on this year in the Inter-American Development Bank project is setting up our forensic interview unit, a state-owned forensic interview unit,” Dr. Persaud stated. She emphasized that this initiative would complement existing partnerships with organizations like ChildLink and Blossom Inc., which have been heavily subsidized by the government to handle child abuse cases.
The need for such a specialized unit is underscored by the alarming statistics revealed during the press conference. In 2025 alone, 275 child abuse cases have been reported and addressed, following a total of 4,038 cases in 2024. These cases span various forms of abuse, including physical, emotional, sexual, verbal, and neglect.
To prepare for the unit’s establishment, several officers have already undergone preliminary training in India. The ministry is also equipping the Hope and Justice Centre in Region Three with the necessary tools to conduct forensic interviews. This center, the first of its kind in Guyana, adopts a ‘one-stop’ model to provide victims with a range of services, including counseling, legal recourse, and medical treatment.
The forensic interview unit will employ highly trained professionals skilled in child forensic interviewing techniques and well-versed in child development. These interviewers will use neutral, non-leading questioning methods to gather information from child victims, with interviews recorded to preserve statements for legal purposes.
Dr. Persaud highlighted the importance of timely interventions, stating, “You should not have a child waiting. You want that to be done in a timely way.” The unit aims to reduce backlogs in case processing and ensure that children receive prompt trauma-focused counseling following their interviews.
In addition to the forensic interview unit, the government is introducing new legislation to strengthen child protection efforts. Dr. Persaud announced plans for a new Protection of Children International Measures bill, aligning with the Hague Convention. This follows recent enactment of legislation concerning inter-country adoption, which has led to the resumption of international adoptions in Guyana under a newly established central authority.
The establishment of this forensic interview unit represents a significant step forward in Guyana’s approach to handling child abuse cases. By providing a specialized, child-friendly environment for investigations, the government aims to improve the quality of evidence collection while minimizing the trauma experienced by young victims during the legal process.
As Guyana continues to grapple with the complex issue of child abuse, this new unit, coupled with legislative reforms and increased support for existing child protection services, demonstrates the country’s commitment to safeguarding its most vulnerable citizens and ensuring justice for victims of abuse.
