Combating domestic violence

Dear Editor,
Domestic violence is a startling but prevalent social problem in Guyana; it crosses racial and socioeconomic lines. Any victim of Domestic Violence is violated of their fundamental individual and collective rights.
Last year, over 2,000 reports of domestic violence were made within the policing division of Guyana. Help and Shelter revealed that it served 324 clients between January 1, 2008 and July 30, 2008. This surge of domestic violence obligated the Government of Guyana to take action against this monstrous problem.
To tackle domestic violence in Guyana, the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security established a Domestic Violence Unit in order to strengthen and enforce legal sanctions against perpetrators of domestic violence, provide counseling to victims, and to sensitize the public about this social problem.
Today, domestic violence is unfortunately seen as a personal, private, or a family matter; this should not be the case.  Those who have the responsibility of implementing the laws against domestic violence must not be insensitive, but rather take a stern approach to address the problem.
The police force must always ensure that all cases of domestic violence are treated seriously and properly investigated, so as to ensure that the necessary actions to protect the victims are executed to prevent further abuse and that perpetrators are charged.
The Ministry is working in collaboration with some non-governmental organisations (NGOs) such as Help and Shelter; and it also provides funds to Help and Shelter for victims of domestic violence.
The Government of Guyana has a National Policy on Domestic Violence and recognises the Domestic Violence Act (DVA) as a vital instrument to provide redress, reduce and eliminate domestic violence in our society. The DVA was enacted in 1996 and is responsible for action by Government Agencies and Institutions.  Since the implementation of the Act, some victims have been provided with relief.
In addition, the Ministry consists of a Child Protection Unit for children who may suffer from domestic violence. A National Task Force is also established within the Ministry to deal with gender-based violence.
The National Policy on Domestic Violence seeks to guide Government on future intervention in activities and programmes to combat domestic violence.  Through this policy, prevention mechanisms will be strengthened and protection and service provisions for victims of domestic violence will increase.
The Government is committed to aid in the fight against this horrendous act; it is now up to us to be our brother’s keepers; it might just save a life.
Marissa Lowden