THE INCREASE in domestic violence in same sex relationships is “worrisome”.
Speaking at a training session for facilitators for the soon to be introduced Partnership For Peace programme at the Island Inn Hotel Tuesday, Minister of Family, Sport, Culture and Youth Stephen Lashley said males were victims of domestic abuse as well and he would want future programmes to focus on men as victims too.
“The moment that a person, whether male or female, feels compelled to either abuse another human being, whether verbally or to raise a hand to strike that person with the intention of inflicting pain, those of us that are around should be concerned and should endeavour to take some measure to ensure that this type of abuse does not continue.
“Abuse in any form, whether it is child abuse, sexual, verbal, emotional, physical and or neglect, is wrong and should never be condoned,” the minister said.
The Partnership For Peace Violence Prevention Programme is an initiative by the United Nations Women Regional Programme and targets male batterers in the first instance. Fifteen men will participate in the first cycle, which gets started on June 25 and runs for 16 weeks.
“This should be deemed as a new beginning and not a punitive measure for the men as they will be afforded an opportunity to turn their lives around and embark on a life-changing journey that could reap significant long-term benefits,” Lashley said.
The men will be given the necessary support to help them to recognize that violence is a choice and to understand that they can reprogramme their actions and thought processes and use alternative methods in dealing with difficult situations and conflict.
Lashley said he had taken the matter of domestic violence seriously and had instructed the National Advisory Committee on Family Matters to review the existing Domestic Violence (Protection Order) Cap 130A and to make necessary recommendations for amendment.
United Nations Women Regional Programme director Roberta Clarke said the act increases the options open to abused people.
Clarke said responses to domestic violence remained inadequate, and that the Partnership for Peace programme attempted to standardize interventions in the court system based on the prioritization of victim safety and abuser accountability.
“It has the real potential over time to strengthen rule of law, increasing the use and responsiveness of the legal system by and to women. It has the potential also to support the administration of justice and the culture of law enforcement.
“In its ongoing engagement with the judiciary and with police, the programme reinforces key messages of zero tolerance to violence, perpetrator accountability and gender equality,” Clarke said. (YB)