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CAISO and the LGBTI advocacy groups are calling for an investigation and the laying of appropriate charges, if necessary, against radio announcers Andy “The Pitbull” Williams and Ricardo “Gladiator” Welsh, in light of allegations regarding sexual offences against “young boys.”
The following is the full press release:
CAISO, the LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex) advocacy and services group, is calling on Children’s Authority’s Chair Stephanie Daly, Acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams and Director of Public Prosecutions Roger Gaspard Prosecutions to investigate and lay any appropriate charges against radio announcers Andy “The Pitbull” Williams and Ricardo “Gladiator” Welch for sexual offences against minors.
A story by Rickie Ramdass in the November 3rd Trinidad Express newspaper reports that Williams’ lawyer Michael Rooplal alleged in Justice Mira Dean Armorer’s courtroom Monday that Williams on several occasions procured “young boys” to have sexual contact with Welch. He asserted Williams was aware of Welch’s predilection for a number of years.
The statements were made during the hearing of a lawsuit brought by Welch, who says Williams and other media personalities defamed him by joking that he was a homosexual.
“This is not a joke. Or homosexuality. It is abuse of children,” said CAISO executive director Colin Robinson. “It seems the wrong case is on trial.”
Other advocates linked the courtroom disclosure to the nation’s failures to protect young people from abuse, and the need for state vigilance and leadership on gender and children’s issues.
“While abusers need to be investigated, children who come forward must be given access to non-homophobic services and counseling they may need in coping with the aftermath of abuse,” said Kate McEwan, a board member of I Am One, the newest local LGBTI NGO.
Luke Sinnette, a social worker and leader at its 19-year-old counterpart, Friends for Life, agreed. He said: “Same-sex sexual violations can cause deep shame and guilt. A strong message must be sent that the abuse was wrong, and those responsible will be held to account.”
“Silence about sexual abuse haunts our communities across the region,” added Dr. Angelique V. Nixon, who lectures in the Institute for Gender & Development Studies, UWI St. Augustine (IGDS). “Perpetrators, and trauma, must be dealt with and made visible. We need healing and justice.”
In 2008, IGDS launched Break the Silence, a multisectoral project against child sexual abuse.
Editor’s Note: Wired868 sent a written request for comment on the CAISO press release to Ricardo Welch and Andy Williams. Thus far, neither have responded.
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CAISO is the Coalition Advocating for Inclusion of Sexual Orientation, which includes both GLBT people and allies. Our aims are: to foster a forward-thinking, visionary and humane approach to sexual orientation and gender identity; to secure full inclusion in all aspects of national life, social policy and citizenship regardless to sexuality and gender; to develop capacity, leadership and self-pride in our own communities, and to mobilise an advocacy movement for social justice in partnership with others.
I smell pnm behind this
Well look thing now……Gladiator like he opened a can of worms by attempting this law suit of defamation. If he lives in a glass house why he’s throwing stones. I totally agree with CAISCO. … sexual abuse of thr young and vulnerable is not homosexuality. …its time these perverted pedophiles are exposed and brought to justice.
SHAME
Shame is joke yes.
Whatttttttttttttttt
when d hunter becomes d hunted
So many adults are free with their favours, why abuse children?!?!
Disgusting nasty people.
Tie them in Woodford Sq, let the public deal with “Pitbull” and “Gladiator”!!!!
Is this true? What the hell?
Who are these so called “CAISO and the LGBTI advocacy groups “??
CAISO is a group of a man and few lesbians…about 6 in total. Who are these other advocacy groups? THEY EXIST??
The fact is that you are a MINORITY of a MINORITY, trying to spread an agenda that’s counter to Trinidad and Tobago’s development.
Homosexuals in this country are NOT discriminated against! Everyone will tell you that. But it does not comfort you to know this. It’s actually irrelevant to you because you have a political agenda to FORCE your lifestyle onto the people.
LOL@ Gregory. Who are the six lesbians, man? There are six legally registered NGOs in T&T who serve or advocate for LGBTI people. Spreading a political agenda of justice and equality regardless to who you love or what gender you are seems like it’s a good agenda, not so? Agendas are what political openness is a society is about. CAISO’s is transparent. Yours seems to be inequality and injustice for some people you single out. Not only is there discrimination against gay people, of the kind the Gladiator case illustrates (including discrimination against young gay people who no one protects), but what’s worse, gay/lesbian people are explicitly excluded from the protection of the anti-discrimination laws. If that’s not discrimination, what is? If our idea of democracy is that minorities can’t “force their lifestyle” then we need to ban “the practices of the body” of the Shouter Baptists again, they’re a minority, and that was the language used to ban them. Repeal the Eid holiday and remove Hosay from the streets: Muslims are a minority too. There are fewer Chinese people than LGBTI people, btw. And people with disabilities: why accommodate them with sign language interpreters or put cuts in the pavement? Let them suffer. Fact is we live in a nation of minorities, and we all have to share it. No one needs YOU to have gay sex in order to do that. But I’d like to.
Lasana Liburd..what does any institution in the banana do?…police?.inland revenue?..child authority?…Cott? ..tatt?… EMA?…Anyone ever make ah jail?…steups
Videos bodies bullet casings one road in one road out and they can’t solve cases
The police cud only put up roadblock and tell yuh remove yu tint
They like official national bouncers
Lol. I pass them parked on the highways at lot these days. I’m glad I’m seeing them more. But I’m still not sure if they are actually doing anything.
Now we will see who is the real Bareback leader
So the man who call our PM at rapist and perv gained financial return for “his hard work” and now getting emotional when his lifestyle is questioned ? why we should not throw stones
Lawd put ah hand hope Kamla and dem help him lol
But if found innocent those who lied should pay damages and be charged
Those who lied about what should be charged with what?
Did u read the article?
Yes. I did. I’m not understanding who you want to pay damages and for what.
Welch is saying he was slandered by Pitbull and Umbala so he’s suing Pitbull now and Umbala later
If the police investigate and find that Welch is innocent then Pitbull and Umbala should be liable and even face criminal prosecution
The case before Armourer is the said lawsuit
Funny thing is that “Pitbull” Williams seems to be saying that he brought young boys for “Gladiator” Welch. So he has incriminated himself.
I think the libel matter is different though Kyon Esdelle. Regardless of the outcome of this case, CAISO and other groups are saying there must be a separate investigation into certain shocking allegations. And I agree.
Hence I used the word “if the police”
Yes the police need to investigate and clear the matter
Btw this the same man who called DR Rowley a rapist lol
And facing a lawsuit for that. ???
He gonna be in court a lot
I really don’t think somebody should be compensated because somebody else called you gay.
Is this country really that homophobic that calling someone gay is slanderous?
If he can prove that he was out of work for four years because companies refused to hire him because they thought he was gay then he should sue the companies for discrimination.
Why the hell not
Yes it is slanderous
If someone said on tv that you were cheating on your husband knowing that you weren’t that’s slander
It doesn’t matter if the country is homophobic
Funny though I’ve seen gay people call supposedly straight ppl gay trying to shame them
Now I can understand why he spent most of the 2015 general elections campaign trying to slander Dr Rowley’s name on the radio on behalf of the UNC while calling himself a Rebel PNM. It may have been a case of looking for company.
Stephen, Akiel’s killer is behind bars in the US for attempted murder of his grandfather.
R u serious?, never heard anything of the sort.
Very serious!! His father packed him up and they migrated to the US when everything died down. The deviant behavior started in a primary school that they attended.
Hmm ok – i know the story about the party etc, just never heard anything about the identity of the offender.
Serious!!! I never heard either. Wow. Excellent news. However as I said Akiel is just one that we know of. Many others maybe covered up and or never reported.
Because they didn’t want the public to know.
Is that consistent with Daly’s comments here? http://www.trinidadexpress.com/commentaries/Will-they-remember-Akiel-Chambers-235889681.html
This is reminiscent of Brad Boyce (sorry for hijacking the thread lasana)
I suppose that is the person believed to be Akiel’s killer. Only the courts can determine absolute guilt. But it is news to me as well.
He was determined to be mentally ill in the US
ok
Well eventually the madness does have to be exposed the next thing that have to be exposed are the ones all who are playing Christians and joining churches eh and still continuing with their lifestyles. Them really good yes
Not clear. Murder of who’s grandfather, his own or Akiel’s? And where did the attempted murder take place? I’m enquiring unsolicited on behalf of Martin Daly, who has a swarm of bees in his bonnet as a result of the Akiel Chambers case…
Heard the story but that means he was about the same age as Akiel. I was under the impression that maybe the incident in Trinidad caused his problems in the US. The newspapers were suggesting that the perp was an adult at the party.
Lyn Marie, his actions re. Akiel were protected and covered by his father. Most likely the incident down here played a major part in his breakdown in the US.
Brian you mean (C*****ll) was protecting his son. The manner in which Akiel died left many unanswered questions.
Yes that’s what I meant
and that is nothing new that have been taking place in our sweet country eh, dem parents always quick to protect the their family members knowing that they have taken innocent lives in our sweet country and they are very quick so ship them out the country, but thanks to our father God that he doesn’t sleep. Them really good yes
????? oh lord no ????
Hmm
I want to believe the Children’s Authority is going to be all over this case now!
(What does the Children’s Authority do anyway, Sheila Rampersad?)
Whuuuutttt…
Our society has poor track record with these issues. Akiel’s abuser and killer is still walking happily somewhere. And Akiel is just one of many that we know of.
Minors aweee
Those poor little boys…….
I have to fortify my constitution before reading this one.
He shouldn’t mind going to jail , he will be in a buffet line. Bamsee a la carte
Lol. I’m pretty sure you would mind being in jail even if there were female wardens and inmates.
When this can of worms is opened,watch how all these perverts will make tracks and see how many pillars of law,society and entertainment will be exposed.
I would hope that Justice Armorer referred the allegations to the police for investigation.
You hoping for plenty. Based on her reasoning for allowing the election petitions to go through, she’d chuck the court transcript in a corner of her chambers.
Remember the point here. And that is that minors were involved. And that is illegal.
Nasty Man!!
Eeeeeewwww……
When living in glass house you know the saying
OMG
Hmmm. The plot thickens.
I’m afraid to read this….
I can’t
This country is an HBO series now.