Interpersonal violence receives much needed focus in key forum

Mar 20, 2013 News

By Abena Rockcliffe

Citing World Health Organization (WHO)’s research which proves that interpersonal violence has a negative effect on a country’s economy, and asserting that such incidents have reached epidemic proportions locally, Parliamentarian Deborah Backer at the last sitting of the National Assembly tabled a motion to tackle the scourge.

APNU MP Deborah Backer

Backer, who is the Deputy Speaker of the House, and sits as a Member of Parliament for A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), through her motion, called for the government to establish, within one month of the passage of the motion, a broad-based Committee comprising but not limited to, representatives of the political parties in the National Assembly; the relevant Government Ministries; religious bodies and other Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs).
That committee, as stipulated by the Motion, will be mandated to complete a “National Plan of Action” to combat interpersonal violence within four months of its establishment.
Also, the motion called for the government to, within one month of completion of the plan, “lay the document in the National Assembly”.
By virtue of the motion, the National Assembly is called to designate a day to be observed under the theme “Parliamentarians Against Interpersonal Violence” during which the National Assembly will organize appropriate activities to highlight ways in which Interpersonal Violence can be reduced. That observance will be carried out as a means of the House unequivocally condemning all forms of interpersonal violence.
Interpersonal violence refers to hostility and abuse that occurs between people who know each other; it can occur within or outside a family setting and includes domestic violence.
Backer emphasised that the aforementioned developments are necessary since interpersonal violence remains on the rise, despite the fact that numerous programmes aimed at reducing it were initiated by government agencies and other NGOs.
She said that the reversal of the “epidemic” is in the interest of all Guyanese who continue to be adversely affected by it.
Hindrance to economic growth
Noting that domestic violence falls under interpersonal violence, Backer said that those distresses can cause individuals not to focus at work and put a strain on the health sector and by extension the economy, as it often leads to workers needing time off, whether it is for physical or mental recovery.
According to Backer, even in the cases where victims manage to go to work “production is low.”
She said in schools there are several effects where teachers in distress won’t be able to deliver well and students who experience violence in the homes won’t be focused enough to grasp the lessons.
Backer also pointed out that teachers are not motivated to do their jobs in an environment where the students are warlike.
Asked if she thinks interpersonal violence exists in some form in the National Assembly, the deputy speaker said that “we all have to take some responsibility and we need to be less combative”.
Further questioned as to whether she feels the motion is a little too late, Backer in responding acknowledged that the levels of violence in Guyana are unacceptable, but stressed emphatically that “it is never too late!”
For the year, there have been several fatalities due to interpersonal violence.