Veteran American lawyer advises…
A VISITING American family law veteran said Thursday that, key to an effective response to domestic violence is professional training for policemen who have to deal with such cases.
Ms. Beth M. Feder said the coursing would make it possible for them to nip the incidence in the bud before it gets out of hand.
Currently in Guyana on a three-day visit, at the invitation of the United States (U.S.) Embassy, the Head of Lawlor Winston’s Pre-Litigation Division, gave her opinion on the burning issue while addressing members of the media at a special session on ‘Domestic Violence or Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) in the Oasis Room of Pegasus Hotel, Kingston, Georgetown.
Domestic violence is gaining momentum locally and continues to claim the lives of  women folk who are, usually, the subject of the abuse.
Feder said, where the incidents are prevalent and aggravated, there needs to be changes to the law to make for a more robust and effective response.
In that context, she underscored the importance of continued professional training for the Police, so as to effectively equip them for the task at hand.
“There needs to be training…training is important…and I’m talking once a month, maybe once every two months. Just keep it fresh,” Feder advised.
Alluding to some occurrences with which she is familiar, having travelled extensively, she recalled that there were instances where the Police were either under-trained or not trained at all and some of the ranks were, themselves, either victims or abusers/perpetrators.
However, Feder is optimistic that, in whatever country, where the Police do what they are supposed to do, the situation could be brought under control.
“I do believe that, with proper Police protection, the victims of domestic violence can be helped,” she stated.
DISMAY
Feder expressed dismay at reports, in the local daily newspapers, that the 31-year-old mother of four, recently killed by her reputed husband, had threatened the woman in the presence of the Police.
She said, in the U.S. that threat would have caused an automatic arrest, noting that such behaviour is one of the things for which there is zero tolerance in her country.
Desiring to be of  help in Guyana, since her arrival earlier on Thursday, Feder had discussions with the Charge d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy and other stakeholders.
She said:“I am more than willing to meet with the Police Department. I am more than willing to help set up training. I am more than willing to come back and do training.”
Feder was scheduled to also meet representatives of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) at Hotel Tower  last evening and due to depart Guyana today.
Of those cases where battered women, initially, make reports to the Police and, later, refuse to follow through, she said that, very often, the women retract such complaints and claim it was not aimed at seeing them harshly dealt with, but with the hope that initial intervention by the Police would cause the abusers to change.
She maintained, though: “The only way abusers can change is that they must want to.”
Observing that, at times, female victims are put off by the response or attitude of the Police officer handling the matter, Feder exhorted those law enforcement officials to be compassionate.
“Maybe the first and second time and you were not compassionate to her.  You made her feel like it was her fault and so she doesn’t come the third time. And then, that fourth time, she’s dead,” she remarked, referring to Police ranks.
On the question of counselling, Feder said it is absolutely necessary for both parties, abuser and victim but recommended they not be counseled jointly, because that pre-supposes that they are on the same level.
She is firmly of the view that, not only the victims should be counseled but the abusers and the children in the home as well.
Feder reminded all stakeholders that, whatever is done, they must remember the children and she advocated a public campaign to get people to talk about domestic violence, as a start to curb it.
Feder commended the local media for their coverage of issues relating to domestic violence and said it was unparalleled, when compared to other countries where she has  visited.
Accompanying her at the forum was Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Embassy, Ms. Charlotte Hu.
Feder, recently relocated from New York, joined Lawlor Winston with ten years experience as a family law litigator, focusing her practice on gender-based violence.
She has lectured extensively on the issues of domestic violence and matrimonial litigation and, earlier this year, sat for the Florida Bar and, while awaiting admission, assumed the management of Lawlor Winston’s Pre-litigation Division, according to Online PR News.