Rave reviews for Region Four RDC Domestic Violence Walk
DPI, Guyana, Sunday, October 7, 2018
Scores of persons met, on Sunday, to walk from Beterverwagting Health Centre to the Lusignan Community Centre in an effort to raise awareness of domestic violence within the region.
The walk was a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Social Protection, East Coast Probation Department and Region Four Regional Democratic Council (RDC) under the theme, “As a community, we have the power to stop domestic violence”.
In brief remarks, Genevieve Allen, Regional Chairman (RC), urged the participants to become each other’s keepers by becoming more involved in the lives of those within their respective communities. She encouraged the provision of counselling for those involved in situations of domestic violence.
“As community members, we need to support and fight against domestic violence or any other form of violence occurring in our community and we should not cast blame or judgement on victims. Speak out once you witness or suspect a family member, neighbor or friend is living in violence,” Allen said. She stressed that children bred in such relationships are affected psychologically and mentally which lead to them displaying violent tendencies in school and future relationships.
Further, the RC said that statistics provided from January 31 to August 31 reflects 202 domestic violence cases reported, with 154 of those cases being females and 48 being males. She noted that reports by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) reflects a reported 484 cases, 81 of those cases reported at ‘C’ Division at 16.7 per cent from March, this year.
Pauline Lucas, Regional Executive Officer (REO), expressed appreciation to those who participated in the walk and expressed the hope that they will be able to execute the vision of the RDC to assist those involved in violent relationships.
Ravindra Stanley, Deputy Superintendent of Police, ‘C’ Division, Cove and John, said that his division has as zero tolerance stance for domestic violence cases, hence the division’s zero tolerance on settling any domestic violence case reported.
“I want to encourage members of the public and those who may be involved in violent relationships to come out and report any form of these violence. Do not be afraid, you are protected by the courts, police, ministry and the government… we are committed to serve and protect the people of Guyana,” Stanley said.
Neola Damon
Images by Karime Peters