Temporary shelter, other support for victims of violence

…as Govt constructs ‘Hope and Justice’ centres

As part of the Government’s efforts to provide much-needed support for victims of violence, “halfway houses” will be constructed in three regions.
Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC, revealed that this is a pilot project that will be done on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), at Vergenoegen in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) and in Region One (Barima-Waini).
“Not very far from here, the Government in a collaboration between the Ministry of Legal Affairs and the Ministry of [Human Services and Social Security], is constructing an edifice that will be styled a Hope and Justice Centre,” said Nandlall on Wednesday while delivering remarks at the opening of the new $294 million Vigilance Magistrates’ Courts, ECD.
Additionally, if this pilot project is a success, it will be implemented in all of the administrative regions of the nation.
He explained that Hope and Justice Centre is a “new concept” the Government has designed and will be a home for victims of domestic violence, sexual abuse, and human trafficking.
These all-in-one centres will offer counselling, Police protection, and assistance with legal and medical issues. Additionally, temporary accommodations will be offered to victims.
“It would accommodate these victims if there is no other accommodation available other than to go back to the source of the abuse. It is going to be a halfway house for victims,” added Nandlall.
Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud had previously stated that services to combat Trafficking in Persons (TIP) will be prioritised at the centre that will be constructed in the hinterland where human trafficking is more prevalent.
The construction period for the centres is a minimum of nine months and will be funded by a loan the Government has received from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) for the Support for the Criminal Justice System (SCJS) Programme.
The Support for the Criminal Justice Programme is a US$8 million project to help Guyana overcome prison overcrowding, by reducing pre-trial detentions and increasing the use of alternative sentencing, among other measures.
Despite several interventions at all levels, domestic violence, intimate partner violence, sexual abuse, and human trafficking continue to be serious problems.
In relation to domestic violence, data from Guyana’s First National Survey on Gender-Based Violence released in 2019, showed that one in every two women in the country has or will experience intimate partner violence in their lifetime.
According to reports, 28 women were murdered in 2022, the majority by their husbands/former partners. They were either shot, stabbed, beaten, or burnt.
For the seventh consecutive year, Guyana has maintained its Tier 1 ranking in the US Department of State 2023 Trafficking in Persons Report, which lauded the Government for its efforts to combat this form of modern-day slavery. This simply means that Guyana is fully compliant with the minimum standards for the elimination of severe forms of trafficking in persons.
Meanwhile, there have been a large number of cases of sexual abuse, particularly against children and this is evidenced by the alarmingly high number of cases of sexual offences listed for trial at the Demerara, Essequibo, and Berbice Criminal Assizes. (G1)