Young: I hope guard is charged for child rape

MINISTER of National Security Stuart Young said he hoped a security guard who reportedly raped an underage girl at a safe house will be charged for the crime.

His remark came on Tuesday in the Senate, where he was replying to an urgent question posed to the Prime Minister by Opposition Senator Wade Mark, who asked about steps to address reports of rape and abuse at a safe house.

Young said, “There has been one, recent, again very tragic, disturbing and upsetting report of a young female being abused by a private-sector security guard at a safe house.”

He said the case was receiving the Government’s full attention, through the Gender and Child Affairs Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister, plus the Children’s Authority.

“There is no recent report of rape and abuse of children, plural,” he stressed.

He said the authority was investigating the allegation of misconduct by the security officer, who was attached to an external service provider.

“The officer has been removed from duty.

“The Child Protection Unit of the TT Police Service is also conducting their investigation into the allegation, as well as the Children’s Authority.”

He said the authority continues to seek the best interest of children placed in its care.

“I hope that the necessary criminal charges will be brought against the security officer,” he added.