Trainers offer insight into domestic abuse

(CNS): While women in Cayman still await long promised legislation to help protect them from violence and discrimination the Family Resource Centre has been working with officials to improve how they deal those who are suffering violence in the home. The Domestic Violence Intervention Training Programme (DVITP) session for police officers, social workers, and other frontline professionals looked at how local resources could be better used and helped professionals understand the dynamics of domestic abuse.

“It is easy to ask, ‘Why doesn’t she just leave?’” said FRC Programme Officer Miriam Foster. “But this training aims to have frontline professionals understand the pressures that a victim of domestic violence experiences and why the answer to that question is not so simple.”

The three-day programme was aimed at enhancing local professionals’ ability to deal with domestic violence issues. Sixteen persons participated from the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS), the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), and the Cayman Islands Crisis Centre. Police Commissioner David Baines was on hand to present course certificates and he also expressed appreciation to both trainers and participants.  

“The DVITP is valuable for it aims to enhance understanding of the dynamics of domestic violence, and at increasing sensitivity to the victims,” he said.

The training was an update of the 2000 version that was earlier introduced in 17 Caribbean countries. Coordinated within each country by locally-based professionals, implementation was overseen by the Caribbean Association for Feminist Research and Action (CAFRA).

Between 2000 and 2004 in Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac, some 300 RCIPS and immigration officers, social workers, and health and human services professionals completed the original programme. 

For further information about the Domestic Violence Intervention Training Programme, contact Miriam Foster on 949-0006 or at miriam.foster@gov.ky.