SOME 3051 reports of Domestic Violence were made to the Human Services and Social Security Ministry in 2014, with 1684 cases being made out from the total number of reports.

Speaking at the launch of the Domestic Violence Regulations at Cara Lodge, Quamina Street, Georgetown, Human Services and Social Security Minister Jennifer Webster also disclosed that some 1500 aggressors were warned, with 18 matters being referred to probation officers.
This aside, the minister pointed out that there are over 1000 pending matters, as she stressed that tackling Domestic Violence is a top Government priority.
A passionate Webster said Domestic Violence does not only affect victims in a physical and financial way , but is also a cost to the country, and on that note she called on all stakeholders to play their part in ridding the scourge from society.
She told the gathering which included Education Minister Priya Manickchand; Attorney-General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall; senior officials from their ministries and regional representatives that the regulations represent the latest effort by the Administration to combat Domestic and Gender-based Violence.
According to the minister, for the problem to be effectively addressed, victims need to report the matter to the police and the police need to take them seriously.
She also noted that the ministry is looking to make it mandatory for medical practitioners to report cases of victims of Domestic Violence who visit them for treatment.
Domestic Violence is not only a serious problem in Guyana, but a problem affecting countries the world over.
Women aged 15-44 are more at risk from rape and domestic violence than from cancer, car accidents, war, and malaria, according to World Bank Data. Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behaviour in any relationship used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over his/her intimate partner.
It can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic, or psychological actions that influence their partner. This includes behaviour to intimidate, manipulate, humiliate, isolate, frighten, coerce, threaten, blame, injure or wound someone.
Domestic violence can occur regardless of race, age, sexual orientation, religion, or gender, socio-economic background and education levels. Acts of domestic violence can happen to intimate partners who are married, living together, or dating.
Up to 70 per cent of women experience violence in their lifetimes and children who grow up witnessing domestic violence are among those seriously affected by this crime. Several global surveys suggest that half of all women who die from homicide are killed by their current or former husbands or partners.