THE Guyana Police Force (GPF) is maintaining a ‘zero tolerance’ approach to domestic violence and its ranks are being urged to take appropriate action in reported cases, said Assistant Commissioner Brian Joseph.

The Commander of ‘B’ Division told the media that all such related matters are treated seriously, whether the perpetrators are males or females.
“A large percentage of the victims of domestic violence are women. We have very few men that come forward with such reports, maybe because they are ashamed,” he said.
But he assured that, as long as any incident is reported, the perpetrator should be charged under the Criminal Offences Act and the Summary Jurisdiction (Offences) Act.
He also said that, in many instances, the victims would only ask for the perpetrators to be warned by the police and junior ranks are, usually, advised to take the complaint before a senior officer and before the disputed parties are sent away.
Joseph explained, “There are many instances, here in Berbice, where women just make reports and request warnings, mainly because their spouses are breadwinners of the home.
“We are still urging them to come forward and, if we have to issue warnings, we will do so, and we have different methods of approach in doing so.”
He mentioned that the issue of domestic violence is being discussed at the highest level of the GPF and initiatives are being taken to deter spouses from committing any acts of assault, assault causing actual bodily harm and, in the worst case scenario, murder.
“There are, currently, less reported cases of domestic violence throughout the country but, it doesn’t mean that there are less incidents of such, since many victims are still reluctant to come forward,” Joseph admitted.
He said persons within every community are also being encouraged to serve as ‘watchdogs’, by taking note of the trend of domestic violence in their neighbourhoods, and report such matters to the Police.