Over 2000 cases of domestic violence reported

Dec 14, 2008 News

… more than 500 persons charged

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) has reported that they have received and dealt with a total of 2,811 reports of domestic violence within the policing divisions throughout the country, and out of this number only 579 persons were charged and placed before the courts, while 299 cases were referred to the Probation and Family Welfare Department.
In a press release issued to the media yesterday, the GPF stated that in 1,609 cases persons were warned by the police at the request of the victims, and investigations are still ongoing in a number of reports.
The police noted that the force has trained several officers and other ranks overseas in relation on how to deal with the issue of domestic violence.
Subsequently, it also trained a number of trainers locally in domestic violence, while has placed the topic on every training programme conducted at the Felix Austin Police College so as to ensure that ranks in every police division are trained in domestic violence.
According to the press release, the force has noted with concern the continuous claims by different groupings concerned with domestic violence about the lack of effective action by the police in dealing with domestic violence matters, and as such want to set the record straight in relation to the matter.
It was noted that there are specific books open at all stations for the recording of domestic violence matters, and at each station a monthly return is prepared which indicates action taken on matters of domestic violence.
This return is sent to the Criminal Investigation Department Headquarters which maintains statistics and records in relation to domestic violence.
The force stated that clear instructions have also been issued for ranks to take quick and effective action as it relates to reports of domestic violence, and stressed the fact that the cases that do not end up before the courts are mainly because the virtual complainant has refused to give a statement or has requested a warning from the police.
Earlier in the year the Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee, lambasted the ranks of the police force for their inability to properly treat with reports of domestic violence. He noted that on many occasions many of the ranks are not properly equipped to handle the reports.
He had noted that, given the lack of knowledge and experience among ranks, a curriculum should be introduced at the Felix Austin Police College (FAPC) as it relates to domestic violence and how ranks could better function when it comes to complaints of domestic violence.
The Home Affairs Minister had said that the reasons for the hurdles may lie in Guyana’s cultural heritage, hence “it is embedded in people”.
He had also stated that in some cases the Police at the stations are usually reluctant to take reports, given that past experience has taught that reports made by females are usually against their husbands, who in most cases are the sole breadwinner of the home.
The report is then subsequently recanted.
Rohee had urged that “the police rank taking a report must be able to explain the nature of the complaint and put (the abuser) before the court.”