Electronic tracking, safety app in focus to protect domestic violence victims

Home Affairs Minister, Oneidge Walrond, has revealed that discussions are underway to introduce electronic monitoring systems—such as tracking/monitoring bracelets—for individuals who breach protection orders, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen enforcement and safeguard victims of domestic violence. She made the disclosure during an exclusive interview with this publication, when asked about interventions being implemented to curb gender-based violence and enhance the protection of vulnerable individuals.

“In terms of enforcement, and some of the things that we are looking at is, once again, using the technology…So once an order is made, we are looking at a programme where we can use bracelets or another monitoring mechanism on the perpetrator [in which] there’s an alert system that activates if and when [a perpetrator breaches or] approaches.” She added that these conversations are actively ongoing, as the Ministry explores modern, technology-driven solutions to support the enforcement of court orders and prevent repeated acts of abuse.
“These are conversations that are actively happening,” she noted.
Underscoring that gender-based violence reduction remains a top priority on her agenda, Minister Walrond also highlighted ongoing work to develop a mobile application that allows individuals to discreetly send emergency alerts to authorities. “[We are working on] an app where persons are able to put in an alert—almost like a 911 alert—that doesn’t require data,” she explained. “Even if she doesn’t have data on her phone, she can send that alert, which triggers a notification to 911 that help is needed. The goal is to make victims feel safer and more secure.” The Minister noted that while technology alone cannot completely resolve the issue of gender-based violence, it provides crucial tools for timely intervention. “This isn’t the full answer to the issues where you find that men—though not exclusively men, but overwhelmingly [men]—violate protection orders by still trying to make contact with the victim. But with real-time alerts, we are able to respond more quickly,” she said, adding that the initiative is being developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Human Services. The call for stronger enforcement comes amid several recent cases of protection order breaches in Guyana. In February 2025, 49-year-old Mervin Taylor was placed on $10,000 bail after being charged with breaching a protection order issued on January 24, 2025. He was ordered to stay 50 feet away from the residence of Vanil Grey, but according to the court, he verbally and physically abused her on February 5 and later appeared at her church. Taylor in his defence, stated that he used to be in a relationship with Grey and claimed that he did not breach the order and simply went to drop off his child. However, Grey interjected alleging that she was at church when Taylor came and verbally abused her at the church and did not even notify her beforehand that he was bringing their child.
Only recently, The Guyana Police Force (GPF) reminded officers that they are legally mandated to act swiftly on reports of domestic abuse and to enforce protection orders under the new Family Violence Act of 2024. Superintendent Shellon Daniels made the call during a recent edition of “Police and You”, a public awareness programme. She emphasised that the new Act provides greater protection and responsibility for law enforcement when handling domestic violence complaints.
Victims of domestic abuse in Guyana are being urged not to stay silent or fear retaliation, as the GPF continues to strengthen support mechanisms for those seeking protection under the Family Violence Act of 2024. During an episode of Police and You, Superintendent Shellon Daniels said that victims no longer have to appear in person at a police station to make a report, as calls can now be made through the domestic violence hotline—914—or directly to any police station.