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THE Guyana Police Force (GPF) will be changing its procedure in dealing with reports of domestic violence and sexual offences by having officers at police stations take statements from complainants before sending them to conduct a medical examination. This was disclosed in a media briefing on Tuesday by Renata Chuck-A-Sang who represents the Private Sector on the Women and Gender Equality Commission (WGEC).
She explained that currently when victims go to make a complaint at a police station, they are sent to get a medical report first and are asked to return to give a statement after the completion of the medical examination.
However, Chuck-A-Sang said that the commission recently had a meeting with the GPF, and this was among the issues raised. She added that she was assured that this system will be changed.
“Oftentimes when they (victims) are sent away to get the medical they rarely come back to the station. So with the statement in hand, the police by themselves can be able to take action on the report,” she said.
She further noted that Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr. Balram Persaud, had stated that the force has a zero tolerance towards domestic violence and indicated that 60 percent of all reported cases make it to court.
Among the challenges cited which prevent this percentage from being higher is the lack of evidence to take to court. Chuck-A-Sang stated that often the complainant is afraid to testify in court for fear of losing economic support from the alleged perpetrator.
However, she said that the commission was assured by Persaud that the force has begun to take a position that it will take matters to court regardless of whether the complainant is willing to testify.
As it relates to domestic violence within the police force, Chuck-A-Sang said that the WGEC was informed that there is a welfare department within the force, headed by one Inspector Maxine Graham, where reports of this nature can be lodged.
In addition, she related that the force had started training ranks in 2004 with regard to the Domestic Violence and Sexual Offences Act and this is an ongoing programme.
Meanwhile, she noted that some magistrates are not as committed to the process or do not understand the process of the Domestic Violence and Sexual Offences Act, and this was raised by police officers during the meeting.
In that light, the commission suggests that the judiciary gets training in dealing with this Act, noting that the Sexual Offences Act was recently amended.
Moreover, Chuck-A-Sang disclosed that the commission has recommended that all police officers be trained in gender relations. She said that it was suggested that the force collaborate with the University of Guyana to ensure that each officer acquires training in this field.
According to her, the GPF was very receptive to this idea, and expressed the desire for WGEC to assist them with the provision of visual aids and resource personnel to deal with gender equity.
In addition, she said that the commission requested that the police force install billboards and signboards on their facilities expressing their zero tolerance against domestic violence and sexual offences.
She explained that currently when victims go to make a complaint at a police station, they are sent to get a medical report first and are asked to return to give a statement after the completion of the medical examination.
However, Chuck-A-Sang said that the commission recently had a meeting with the GPF, and this was among the issues raised. She added that she was assured that this system will be changed.
“Oftentimes when they (victims) are sent away to get the medical they rarely come back to the station. So with the statement in hand, the police by themselves can be able to take action on the report,” she said.
She further noted that Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr. Balram Persaud, had stated that the force has a zero tolerance towards domestic violence and indicated that 60 percent of all reported cases make it to court.
Among the challenges cited which prevent this percentage from being higher is the lack of evidence to take to court. Chuck-A-Sang stated that often the complainant is afraid to testify in court for fear of losing economic support from the alleged perpetrator.
However, she said that the commission was assured by Persaud that the force has begun to take a position that it will take matters to court regardless of whether the complainant is willing to testify.
As it relates to domestic violence within the police force, Chuck-A-Sang said that the WGEC was informed that there is a welfare department within the force, headed by one Inspector Maxine Graham, where reports of this nature can be lodged.
In addition, she related that the force had started training ranks in 2004 with regard to the Domestic Violence and Sexual Offences Act and this is an ongoing programme.
Meanwhile, she noted that some magistrates are not as committed to the process or do not understand the process of the Domestic Violence and Sexual Offences Act, and this was raised by police officers during the meeting.
In that light, the commission suggests that the judiciary gets training in dealing with this Act, noting that the Sexual Offences Act was recently amended.
Moreover, Chuck-A-Sang disclosed that the commission has recommended that all police officers be trained in gender relations. She said that it was suggested that the force collaborate with the University of Guyana to ensure that each officer acquires training in this field.
According to her, the GPF was very receptive to this idea, and expressed the desire for WGEC to assist them with the provision of visual aids and resource personnel to deal with gender equity.
In addition, she said that the commission requested that the police force install billboards and signboards on their facilities expressing their zero tolerance against domestic violence and sexual offences.
