APNU stresses need to address interpersonal violence

Aug 17, 2013 News

---

 

“We must choose life and find the resources to preserve it” – David Granger

By Abena Rockcliffe
On the heels of the recent spate of domestic violence comes A Partnership for National Unity (APNU)’s call for the establishment of a special Interpersonal Violence Unit to “pro-actively counter this raging crime.”

However, APNU made it absolutely clear that it is not prepared to engage with Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee, to address the situation, as the party maintains Rohee is not competent to be functioning in his current capacity.
The Party’s leader, David Granger yesterday, at a press conference, said that APNU vehemently denounces the continuing perpetration of all forms of interpersonal violence and, particularly, violence against women.  He made no qualms to say the Partnership has completely lost confidence in the ability of the agencies of the Ministry of Human Services, the Ministry of Home Affairs and the regular units of the Guyana Police Force to deal with the “epidemic of interpersonal violence which has been plaguing the country for several years.”
Granger said that his party is aware that the Guyana Police Force has long promised to install a Central Domestic Violence Unit at its Headquarters and at divisional, sub-divisional and station levels.
He said, however, that it seems as if “these offices simply monitor reports and compile data. There is no task force to prevent crimes and to protect victims of interpersonal and domestic violence when and where credible threats have been identified.”
According to Granger, APNU feels that there is an apparent weakness of policy, lack of will or an absence of resources within the Ministries of Human Services and Home Affairs, respectively. Interpersonal violence, as a result, he said, has been allowed to reach epidemic proportions in terms of its frequency, brutality and widespread nature.
The Party leader said as well that the Partnership recognizes that vulnerable women and girls must be protected by more sympathetic, better-trained law enforcement agencies supported by a stronger judicial system. Granger added that APNU also recognizes the need for more support systems for vulnerable women and girls in crisis, and an increase in the number of safe homes for abused, battered, trafficked and sexually-exploited women and girls.

In light of all he mentioned, Granger said that the existing Neighbourhood, Community Policing and Citizens’ Security Programmes must be given specific roles to identify human safety situations which have the potential to become violent. Granger added that APNU insists that incidents of inter-personal violence must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, “regardless of the class, race, status or wealth of the perpetrators.”
Further, Granger disclosed APNU’s insistence that the early education curricula for boys and girls, beginning with the primary schools, should include the teaching of values and standards aimed at eliminating the mentality and factors that contribute to disrespect and the abuse of women and girls.
“There must also be a positive change in political culture that recognizes the worth of women and girls,” insisted Granger.
He made known as well that APNU calls on the People’s Progressive Party/Civic Administration to take immediate action to prevent the crime, to punish violators, and to eradicate the scourge of inter-personal violence.
“The Partnership demands also that, where such violence occurs, measures should be taken to protect women from being subjected to such abuse, and to aid their easy access to justice and safety. Women who are mothers and who are responsible for the reproduction of future generations have been most frequently the victims of violence. They deserve the protection of the state.”
As he summed up his statement, Granger said that “APNU encourages all citizens of Guyana to work together for the elimination of interpersonal violence.”
A few months back, the National Assembly reached consensus on a Motion that will see the establishment of a Parliamentary Management Committee and the designation of a day to be observed under the theme, “Parliamentarians Against Interpersonal Violence”. On this day, the National Assembly will organize appropriate activities to highlight ways in which interpersonal violence can be reduced.
Mover of the Motion, APNU member, Deborah Backer, said at that time that interpersonal violence in Guyana has reached epidemic proportions despite laudable efforts by Government, non-governmental and other organizations. She said that this is an opportunity for MPs as elected representatives of the people of Guyana, to stand together with one voice against interpersonal violence.
The parliamentary special committee that the House resolved to appoint, will be tasked with examining the levels and contributing factors to interpersonal violence in Guyana and consider existing programmes being implemented by Government and civil society aimed at reducing interpersonal violence and return to the Parliament by November 30 with its considered recommendations on reducing this scourge.

Backer said yesterday that the issue of interpersonal violence is no less important than issues surrounding the Amaila Falls Hydro project. She said therefore that each must play their part to address the “epidemic.”She said that it must be acknowledged that Guyanese often look only at the extreme cases of inter-personal violence, but, “we must look at those who have been maimed and disfigured”.
APNU’s shadow Minister of Home Affairs, Winston Felix in his contribution, identified a deficiency in the system where he said there is a lacking of the concept to follow through with laws – as in ensuring that abusers are penalized, despite being begged for by their victims.
He said too that there must be a higher form of social assistance, specifically for those victims who have children to support, but had a partner incarcerated because of domestic violence. He said that that money can be used to assist with rent, food and transportation “that will absolutely be needed.
Asked if the Ministry’s disclosure that it is strapped for cash is considered, Felix asserted that the government “is not strapped for cash when it comes to financing the Marriott and specialty hospital”.
The former commissioner of police said “we are big on capital projects but poor in dealing with the human side of life in Guyana”. He added that government has to be told that there are needs in society that must be met.
Backer added to that, saying that it is short-sighted not to spend on human security and development since there will be a long term cost to the nation. She referred to the World Health Organization (WHO) declaration in which domestic violence is regarded as both a health and economic issue.
The Member of Parliament pointed out that those who are subjected to violence, whether physchological or physical can’t perform at their best in any job.
“There are some who are disfigured; some lose limbs” Backer said these all amount to a loss of human resources.”
Backer also pointed out that there is economic suffering, through health cost and other areas… “And so there is a direct link between interpersonal violence and the economic standing of a society.”
Granger too added that money must be found to protect human life, which he stressed has to be the higher value when compared to projects. “Choices have to be made and we must choose life.”

 

 

---

---