-as comprehensive Family Violence Bill laid in National Assembly

AIMING to bring significant changes to Guyana’s domestic violence laws and policies and provide increased protection for victims of family violence, the Family Violence Bill was recently laid in the national assembly.

The Family Violence Bill No. 11 of 2024 was presented at the 83rd sitting of the twelfth parliament by Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr Vindhya Persaud.

According to the bill’s explanatory memorandum, it seeks to make practical and philosophical changes to the entire landscape related to domestic violence laws and policies and as such, it proposes to repeal the current Domestic Violence Act Cap. 11:09 even as it retains several provisions from the said act.

“The first significant change which this bill seeks to achieve is an expansion of the kinds of violence it addresses and the categories of persons who are entitled to seek and obtain protection from the courts,” the explanatory memorandum detailed.

As such it was noted that domestic violence has been recognised as violence between current and former partners in intimate settings. This, it said is a limited definition and does not address the kinds of violence perpetuated on a daily basis and does not provide protection to persons from violence arising out of familial relationships.

As a result, this is the reason the term ‘family violence’ is being used and is an expansive term that relates to all forms of violence between family members.

The memorandum added, “It seeks to expand protection to more categories of persons. It is expected to reshape the landscape of laws providing protection. Persons who were never before able to seek protection would now be able to approach the courts and receive protection from any or all forms of violence perpetuated by persons who fall to be considered ‘family’ members.”

Earlier this year, Dr Persaud told members of the media that when approved, the bill would replace the current Domestic Violence Act.

Against this backdrop, she indicated that the bill benefitted from widespread input through consultations from civil society and other stakeholders.

Further to this she explained that this new bill will facilitate more punitive measures and the removal of discretionary powers from the police so as to ensure that action is taken.

The Human Services Minister indicated that there is not a discretion that will be used in relation to when they act but once there is visible evidence of bodily harm, they [police officers] must take the report.