Training paves way for better advocacy on abuse

(CNS): Although government has not yet indicated if the Protection from Domestic Violence Law 2010 which was passed in October last year has had a positive impact on the violence in the community, officials say public sector staff are being prepared to be better advocates for victims. The new law has widen the scope and definition of domestic abuse to include physical, emotional, financial and sexual abuse as well as increased the penalties for those found guilty of the crime. It also includes elderly persons as well as women and children widening the net of potential prosecution.

The law however needs people to represent those who are abused to help them come forward. “By training those who work in the field about the new provisions, we are preparing them to be better advocates,” said the ministry’s Senior Policy Advisor on Gender Affairs, Tammy Ebanks.
A recent workshop co-hosted by the Ministry of Community Affairs, Gender and Housing, the Department of Counselling Service’s Family Resource Centre (FRC) and the Legal Department was designed to bring key personnel up to speed on the law’s applications and ramifications.
Ebanks said the legislation, passed last October, increases fines for violations to $10,000 and / or imprisonment of up to two years as well as including other forms of abuse as well as violent and physical abuse. Along with spouses, ex-partners, cohabitating couples, children in the family, parents, people regularly visiting a family or household or any dependent of an alleged abuser can be defined under the new law.
Minister Mike Adam who piloted the law through the law through the Legislative Assembly after a period of consultation which had spanned many years, said the improvements in the law can only be effective if victims of domestic violence and those who advocate for them, come forward to seek protection.
“There is now stronger legislation in place to protect you and your family, and rehabilitation is available through various agencies,” he told victims. “I encourage any man, woman or child who falls prey to domestic violence to seek assistance, for this new law strengthens protection and now we can even address issues such as elderly abuse.“
Programme Facilitator for the FRC, Miriam Foster said the training was important and that the law would help people like her help victims. “It has expanded the range of services that organizations can offer clients, thereby enabling us to meet expanded needs of those seeking assistance,” she said adding thatall agencies working with victims and potential victims of domestic violence had to be on the same page where the legislation is concerned.
“Serving the victims is a multi-faceted issue, one with many players. Services include providing for their material needs; giving them access to legal services and ensuring that they are protected from perpetrators. It is therefore critical that all agencies involved actively collaborate,” Foster noted.