Members of faith-based organisations and NGOs were exposed to a one-day seminar that was spearheaded by the Judiciary of Guyana in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on Friday at Dave’s Conference Hall, East Berbice, Corentyne.
Some of the attendees at the domestic violence seminar
The main aim of the event was to reinforce the messages of domestic violence and the measures that are in place to curb the issue.
Acting Chief Justice Roxane George called for the collaborative effort between the Guyana Police Force and other agencies to help deal with domestic violence cases. She added that there are challenges in dealing with domestic violence matters.
“Outside of this, whatever is brought to the court we have to deal with it judicially. In the sense of we have to look for the evidence, we have to look for the proof, but we also very importantly have to be empathic and sympathetic with the situation, understand what the domestic violence is about. We do appreciate that they are cases …challenges where persons may come before us on several occasions and they withdraw. We have to appreciate what domestic violence is about, what it does psychologically to a victim”, she said.
Deputy representative of UNICEF, Irfan Akhtar said that the seminar came in such a time to remind stakeholders of their duty in tackling this social issue.
He said, “I believe the participation of all the stakeholders… in ending violence is very important and I believe that everybody has to play a role … it can happen to anybody”.
However, during the seminar, the attendees were given a clear description of domestic violence, the nature, and functions of a domestic violence unit, how to lend support, and how to look out for signs for when someone is suffering from domestic violence.
