Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, has expressed condemnation over what she described as a “seemingly lenient” judicial response to a harrowing case of domestic violence that recently made headlines and ignited outrage across social media.
Dr. Persaud’s rebuke comes in response to the release of Orwin Rankin, a speedboat captain accused of brutally beating his wife, Selena Sookram. Rankin was granted bail in the sum of just $40,000 by Magistrate Bess when he appeared at the Wakenaam Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday. He pleaded not guilty to the charge of unlawful wounding.
The Minister minced no words in criticising the decision.
“I wish to record my disappointment and concern at the seemingly lenient approach adopted by courts—as recent as today. The case involving Selena Sookram, who has been the subject of constant violent bloody abuse at the hands of her partner, being a case in point,” she said.
Even more troubling for Dr. Persaud is the court’s decision to allow the accused perpetrator custody of the couple’s child on weekends—despite indications that the child may have witnessed the violence and potentially been harmed.
“Worse yet, the court permits him to have custody of the child on weekends. I am informed that the child witnessed the brutalities and may have been hurt in the process,” Dr. Persaud noted.
Highlighting the Government’s efforts to combat domestic violence, she referenced the recently enacted Family Violence Bill 2024, which introduced tougher protective measures for survivors.
“When our Government enacted the Family Violence Bill in 2024, it was our fervent hope that the tough measures contained in the Act would have provided a more robust protective legislative framework. It is obvious that the new legislation is not being used. This is a travesty!”
Dr. Persaud warned that unless the judiciary begins to apply the full weight of the law, survivors of domestic violence will continue to be failed by the very systems meant to protect them.
“The people are not benefiting from the laws that are being enacted. How can we keep survivors of violence safe, many of them women, with these decisions handed down by courts that seem to be devoid of concern for the realities of survivors?”
The Minister reaffirmed her ministry’s commitment to providing shelter, counselling, and economic support to victims, while urging other state bodies to uphold their responsibilities.
“The Ministry of Human Services continues to work to provide safe shelter, psychosocial and socio-economic support and to work along with the Guyana Police Force to remove and support women caught in these violent situations. I encourage other relevant state agencies to discharge their duties in this regard.”
The case has now been transferred to the Leguan Magistrate’s Court and is set to be heard on May 29, 2025.
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