DOMESTIC and other forms of violence are respondent to human life, rights and freedom and must not be allowed to continue. Further a life free of violence lends to longer living and there is no justification for acts of domestic or any form of violence. This is according to Prime Minister, Samuel Hinds yesterday at the International Conference Centre, Liliendaal. The Prime Minister was at the time delivering the feature address at the launching of the National Conversation on Domestic Violence. According to Mr. Hinds violence should have no place in a civilized society while pointing to the number of deaths of women so far for this year.
He noted that while they are those who have decided to come forward and report their sufferings to the police there are those who continue to suffer silently. He blamed the non reportage of these cases on the fearfulness on the part of the victims. The Prime Minister told the gathering that it was sad that in most of the reported cases the perpetrators are persons who are usually held dearly by the victims, some in the past and some presently.
He said that domestic violence is not inevitable and it could be stopped. He alluded to the fact that the national conversation of Domestic Violence is necessary and timely. The Prime Minister added that the government through the Minister of Human Services would move to the next level to stamp out the practice and noted that the government through the designated agencies will be going after all the drivers of violence in this society.
The Prime Minister was loud in praise for all the various organisations, (listing them) that have been helping the cause of trying to reduce the instances of abuse in society. He added that those who reach out to the victims of domestic abuse should be loudly commended and praised. He described the act as giving hope to the victims. Further the Prime Minister encouraged those involved to find more innovative ways of getting persons to give evidence.
Meanwhile, Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Jennifer Webster said that National Conversation involves all the key players and stakeholders putting their hands to the wheel and bringing solutions to this scourge.
The minister said that it is the ministry’s intention to roll out this conversation in all ten Administrative Regions from July to November, 2012. Among the areas where the conversation will be hosted initially are: Matthew’s Ridge, Moruca, Mabaruma, Port Kaituma, Anna Regina, Zeelugt, Canal #2, Diamond, East Bank Demerara, Golden Grove, East Coast Demerara, Georgetown, Litchfield, New Amsterdam, Skeldon, Bartica, Mahdia, Lethem, Linden and Kwakwani. The first conversation will be held at, Zeelugt on July 11.
According to her, given the recent upsurge of domestic violence within our society, the primary objective of the National Conversation is to further sensitize the public with the aim of identifying preventative mechanisms to address the adverse effect of domestic violence on the nation’s human capital, since this will affect our country’s national development.
In hitting home the point that the effects of domestic has on the family the minister explained that when women are abused, businesses close, incomes shrink, families go hungry, and children grow up internalizing  behaviour patterns that perpetrate the violence.
Meanwhile United Nations Regional Director of Equality and Women’s Empower, Ms. Roberta Clarke said that the National Conversation is an initiative that can be very successful because of the resources available to Guyana. Further she believes that the resources will help in a great way in reducing the instances of the scourge this nation faces.
The resources Ms. Roberta spoke of were the knowledge, political will, the will and assistance of the various non governmental organisations. She added that once all those resources are placed together and there is a united approach to addressing the issue it will help a far way.
She said that based on studies conducted in Guyana, one in every three women suffer abuse of all forms and refuse to report to it to the police though they continue to seek medical attention for their injuries. She emphasized that the responsibility is that of a woman to ensure that they are not subjected to abuse.
The UN official said that there needs to be an end to the view that domestic violence is only fueled by alcohol over use, stress and other related discomforts or habits. She pointed out that it is time the world understands that the issue of domestic and other forms of abuse and violence is fueled by an expression of gender control. Ms. Roberta added that once this fact is accepted then there will be a better appreciation for the scale of the scrooge, the challenge and a clearer idea of what needs to be addressed and at what level.
It is her view that the prevalence of violence among women and children is so much that is now becoming an norm and persons are not arresting the problem as they are suppose to. One of the areas contouring the problem is to put systems in place to ensure mandatory reporting of cases of sexual abuse and other crimes against children. Ms. Roberta told the gathering that far too many times person are concerned about keeping the community and family harmonized rather than them protecting the interest of the children.
Ms. Roberta Clark in closing said that while much is being done to address domestic and other violence against children and women the problem continues. She noted that while the laws are there that bit is just, but a plaster to the sore, there needs to be an attack on the wound.
Also addressing the gathering was the faith based organisations and other organisations that are partners of the National Conversation.
(MORE ON THIS STORY IN OUR SUNDAY EDITION)