Minister of Social Care, Constituency Empowerment and Community Development, Steven Blackett, greets Head of Delegation of the EU Delegation to the Eastern Caribbean Countries, the OECS and CARICOM/CARIFORUM, Ambassador Daniela Tramacere. Looking on is the president of the Caribbean’s Women’s Association (CARIWA), Marilyn Rice-Bowen.
THE Ministry of Social Care, Constituency Empowerment and Community Development is reporting some success as it relates to combating domestic violence in this country.
According to Minister Steven Blackett, the Partnership for Peace Programme, a domestic violence prevention programme which is a standardised court-based violence intervention programme for the Caribbean, is reaping success. He said to date they have completed eight cycles, which have been of benefit to 75 men. It was further noted that the ninth cycle is about to start and in general participants have been expressing appreciation for the programme, and consider it as helpful in both their intimate and professional relationships.
He made the comments while addressing those attending the launch of the programme called ‘DECIDES Caribbean – Cultural Rights to Foster Behavioural Changes and Women’s Empowerment against Domestic Violence in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean’ at the Radisson Aquatica Resort.
“The programme uses a psycho-educational approach to prevent men who are in the court system as perpetrators of domestic violence from repeating the patterns of violence against women. The programme is a violence intervention initiative which primarily targets young adult males, and consists of a 16-week psycho-educational intervention.
“The programme is grounded in basic principles that include prioritising the safety and protection of women who are victims of violence, and the acknowledgement of accountability and responsibility by the perpetrator,” he said.
Additionally, the Social Care Minister said that Barbados takes its responsibility of ensuring that Conventions that relate to the prevention, punishment and eradication of violence against women are adhered to seriously.
“My Ministry has been at the forefront of the fight against Domestic Violence, and has worked diligently to rid our nation of the scourge of gender-based violence, the effects of which are devastating and far-reaching on society. Barbados seeks not only to eradicate this scourge, but change those beliefs that promote the use of violence in solving conflictual issues in any context.
“We are therefore mindful of the necessity to include gender issues in societal development planning if we are to achieve social equity,” he added.
He made the point as he indicated that while domestic violence is a reality within some Barbadian households, the prevalence and incidence of domestic violence are not fully known, given there is under-reporting of incidents and limited record keeping.
Noting that DECIDES Caribbean aims at improving data collection and better knowledge of trends and key features regarding domestic violence, he said his Ministry welcomes collaboration with the organisation in this initiative.
His comments came as he noted that the country has recently passed the Domestic Violence (Protection Orders) (Amendment) Act, 2016, which is aimed at enhancing the protection offered to victims of domestic violence and ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable. He said that in addition to that, the legislation provides a comprehensive definition of the term domestic violence; it broadens the categories of persons or agencies that may intervene on behalf of a victim of domestic violence and extends the powers of the police when dealing with complaints alleging domestic violence. (JRT)
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