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No one organisation can address domestic violence
– PPP
Even though many strides have been made in the area of domestic violence in Guyana, the problem continues to persist, General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party, Donald Ramotar said, noting that one of the contributing factors is rooted in history, traditions and culture that has been male dominated for centuries.
PPP's General Secretary Donald Ramotar
Speaking at a recent press conference, Ramotar said that the struggle to change attitudes and behaviour is much more difficult than creating the legal framework for ending domestic violence.
He is urging that the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security continues to intensify efforts at raising awareness about this issue and providing services to victims of violence.
It has long been recognised, he said, that no one organisation can address this issue holistically and successfully.
“The PPP calls on all service providers, the police and other law enforcement agencies, social workers, counselors and our health professionals to commit to doing what the various professions oblige their members to do as it relates to addressing the needs of victims of violence.”
Ramotar also called on all agencies and Ministries listed in the National Policy on Domestic Violence to immediately seek to implement the various stated thematic areas, as they are relevant to particular sectors.
He noted that the Domestic Violence Act 1996 was passed and is comprehensive in addressing issues surrounding the subject.
This piece of legislation is arguably the best in the region as it provides for a range of penalties, from protection orders to occupation orders, to custody and maintenance orders and all the orders that could possibly be needed to comprehensively address the needs of a person who wishes to exit an abusive relationship or of a person who needs to be protected from an abusive partner.
In June 2008, a National Policy on Domestic Violence was published, which contains the various things that must be done by all of the necessary agencies so as to address domestic violence on the short, medium and long term.
Recognizing that most of the victims of violence are women who may require help in accessing the protection provided for in the Domestic Violence Act, Ramotar said that the Guyana Legal Aid Clinic has services in various regions for vulnerable men and women.
The General Secretary also mentioned that the party has been very supportive of NGO’s that provide services to victims of domestic violence.
Help and Shelter, he added, is one such NGO that works with victims of domestic violence and which has the said support.
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