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Police stations have systems to deal with domestic violence – Graham
Domestic violence is on the increase and the police have warned of the organisation’s zero tolerance to this social plague.
Court Superintendent of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), Maxine Graham, made the remarks at the National Congress of Women (NCW) symposium which was held in observance of International Women’s Day 2012, on the lawns of that body’s headquarters, Kitty. The theme of the forum was ‘Women Garnering Information- A Prerequisite for Social Justice.’
Court Superintendent, Maxine Graham
Graham noted that the Guyana Police Force (GPF) has systems in place to deal with domestic violence that affect many women in society. Some men are also victims of domestic violence but their cases are hardly reported.
According to Graham, there are some instances where persons experience difficulties while attempting to make a report to ranks, who are detailed to carry out certain functions but by their own default fail to perform their duties diligently.
Persons who are displeased with the inaction of ranks could lodge complaints at the GPF Office of Professional Responsibility, located at Eve Leary.
Graham emphasised that members of the force undergo training to deal with cases of domestic violence.
“When a person joins the organisation and is in training for one year, on the curriculum, domestic violence is one of the topics discussed at that level. So from that point, upon entering the organisation, one is exposed to the techniques of dealing with domestic violence”. Through the government’s Citizens’ Security Programme, 16 police stations were rehabilitated to include special rooms for interviewing victims of domestic and sexual abuse. These stations are located in Regions Four, Five and Six.
“At these stations, we have specific domestic violence and sexual offences rooms. In addition, to the rooms, there are units- we have Sexual Offences Unit and Domestic Violence Unit.”
The Sexual Offences Unit is manned by specialised female officers. This is to avoid female victims feeling uncomfortable while reporting their experiences.
She explained that even if victims go to the Inquiry Office to lodge complaints of an abuse, the report is taken but that person is sent immediately to the Sexual Offences Unit that would deal with the matter.
Attendees of the National Congress of Women symposium on Saturday.
Graham emphasised that with the new Sexual Offences Act, several changes were made. Whenever, a report of sexual abuse is lodged and before the accused is charged, the matter is sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
In addition, the virtual complainant does not have to testify in court… instead the Prosecutor would read the Paper Committal. However, the victim would have to testify in the High Court.
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