UNFPA recommences Gender-Based Violence Awareness Training for GPF Officers
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), in partnership with the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security (MHSSS), the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Guyana Police Force (GPF), has officially re-commenced the COPSQUAD2000 initiative, which aims to build the capacity of GPF officers to effectively respond to Gender-Based Violence (GBV) cases. The first session for 2022 was hosted February 3 to 8 at the GPF Officers’ Training Centre, Camp Road, and saw the participation of 49 police officers.
According to the Guyana Women’s Health and Life Experiences Survey (2019), one in every two women in Guyana has or will experience Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) in their lifetime. The national survey on gender-based violence in Guyana revealed that more than half (55%) of all women experienced at least one form of violence.
The training programme will improve the capacity of officers to practice, confidentiality, effective interviewing techniques, safety, and other survivor-centered protocols when dealing with GBV cases such as domestic violence, rape, intimate partner violence, and sexual assault. From January to June 2022, the training sessions will take place at the Police Training Centres in Georgetown, Essequibo, and Berbice, and will include officers from all of the police divisions across Guyana.
Recognizing the significant role that the GPF plays in responding to GBV, in ensuring that perpetrators are brought to justice and in safeguarding and protecting survivors and in ensuring that survivors can access all other essential services such as medical care and safe accommodation, the role of the GPF is accepted as a core component of the multi-sectoral response to GBV in Guyana; particularly taking into account the crucial role of the Police Officers in assisting survivors of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) in obtaining protection orders, enforcing these orders, filing reports of IPV, laying charges against perpetrators, in assisting survivors to access medical services for their injuries and in being moved to a safe place, as well as in preserving evidence, and informing survivors of their rights and of the services available to them.
Honourable Minister Robeson, MP during his address alluded that the issue of gender-based violence is one of our critical failures in the criminal justice system. “We are failing at it simply because we are not properly trained to deal with matters of this nature.” More so, we are in a new realm, a new environment, a new area of societal relations and relations between men and women. So, the first issue is a societal issue and it all comes down to how the future generation is being educated in the home and how young boys are being prepared for manhood. They should be taught how to peacefully resolve conflicts without hurting their family, their children, or their spouse.
Additionally, it is the goal of this Ministry and the partnering agencies to train all Police Officers in this area. This will give them the knowledge and skills to effectively deal with these types of issues. Apart from this training, the new Police Stations are equipped with safe spaces which offer more safety and comfort to victims whilst making reports.
In closing the Hon. Minister encouraged the ranks to have a bit of introspection about these issues and to make use of the training to bring to reality the change we are trying to make. “Training and all these things don’t matter if we don’t make it effective, useful, and operational. Make the best use of the training, strive to do your job professionally not only for yourself but for your country.”