Analysis of 1996 Domestic Violence Act: Report on newer forms of violence handed over to Human Services Minister

Human Services and Social Security Dr Vindhya Persaud received reports of recommendations to update the Domestic Violence Act and new and emerging forms of violence -family violence following a legislative analysis of the 1996 Act and research under the EU-UN that is spearhinistry of Human Services spearheaded Spotlight Initiative.

These recommendations and reports, the ministry said in a release, were crafted by consultants Rawle Small and Attorney- at –Law Rosemary Benjamin-Noble who were engaged through the Spotlight Initiative. This was after numerous key informant interviews undertaken over the last 4 months with stakeholders including the Judiciary, Magistracy, Guyana Police Force, Child Care and Protection Agency, CSOs, Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Health, DPP, University of Guyana, survivors, perpetrators, and Regional Executive Officers.
According to the ministry, Small’s report proposed the need to expand the current Domestic Violence Act to include family Violence in recognition of the existing gaps relating to newer forms of violence the need to increase the category of persons eligible to apply for protection orders.
Minister Persaud and Spotlight Liaison Officer Anuradha Persaud engaged in extensive discussions with the consultants on their reports. Minister Persaud in acknowledging the impact of the newer forms of violence said that this type of research under the Spotlight Initiative which focuses heavily on identifying mechanisms to tackle domestic violence is one of the key elements in modernizing legislation and policies and ultimately strengthening systems.
According to the ministry, Noble – Benjamin presented over 40 proposed amendments to the current Domestic Violence Act including expansion of the definitions of ‘domestic violence’; inclusion of more comprehensive definitions of ‘economic, emotional and psychological violence’; updating the penalties for breach of protection orders; and inclusion of batterer intervention programmes and counselling as remedies under the law.
Persaud made several suggestions in the discussions on the proposed recommendations and cited the analysis as a good foundation to having expanded discussions and advancing the process. The minister also recognised that amending this law would impact on other laws including the Evidence, Custody, Contact, Guardianship and Maintenance Acts to give full effect to the proposed recommendations. She committed to engaging the Attorney-General’s Chambers as the next step as Government of Guyana is focused on tackling the scourge of Domestic violence at all levels.
The discussions concluded with the minister reaffirming her commitment to continue engagement with all relevant stakeholders on these recommendations on the Domestic Violence Act under Pillar 1 of the UN-EU Spotlight Initiative.