Public fund touted for domestic violence victims – as part of 10-point plan
THE establishment of a public fund for victims of domestic violence and a range of other measures have been recommended by a Caribbean Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) looking to advise governments on how to tackle domestic violence.The recommendations are part of the so-called “Cascadia protocol” developed by the Caribbean Development Foundation (CDF) as part of its violence against women campaign.
The protocol is the result of an extensive consultation process with NGOs and other stakeholders across the Caribbean. The recommendations in the protocol are based on feedback from the consultative forums held in each CARICOM country.
Thus, a petition was created which summarises the key recommendations. The aim of the recommendations in the protocol is to provide regional governments with broad- based policy guidelines for the implementation of programmes and procedures that will directly and indirectly provide women experiencing violence in the home with a greater level of support and protection.
Apart from a fund to maintain shelters for victims, the recommendations call for justice and protection of victims of domestic violence. These include the setting up of domestic violence units at every police station in Guyana and for the police to provide security for shelters such as camera monitoring and periodic drive-by checks.
In addition, it has been recommended that it be made mandatory for health professionals to report suspected cases of domestic violence.
The implementation of a data-collection system on domestic violence in the health sector, police service and judicial sectors has also been recommended together with the creation of a Caribbean Regional Witness Protection programme for victims of domestic violence assessed as being at risk of being murdered by their spouse/partner.
For years, Guyana has been battling with the plague of violence against women, but it continues to be a serious problem.
Violence against women and girls is a grave violation of human rights and its impact ranges from immediate to long-term multiple physical, sexual and mental consequences for women and girls, including death.
The recommendations were shared yesterday at a symposium on violence against women hosted at the Pegasus Hotel. The event was hosted by the CDF.
Speakers at forum included President and Founder of the CDF Carol Daniel, UG lecturer from the Women’s Study Unit Audrey Benn, Karen DeSouza of Red Thread and Health and Shelter official Vanda Radzik.
Benn revealed that only three per cent of domestic violence victims report to the police within 24 hours.
“Regionally and internationally the picture is dismal. Fewer than one in eight rape victims report the crime to the police. Studies have also found that only three percent of allegations are false, no higher than any other crime,” Benn said.
She explained that domestic violence negatively affects women’s general well-being and prevents women from fully participating in society. Violence not only has negative consequences for women, but also their families, the community and the country at large.
“We cannot bury our heads in the sand and appear as if we do not have a problem,” she said, noting that men also are victims of domestic violence.
(Rabinda Rooplall)
