THE Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Policy Unit (SODVPU) under the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security (MHSSS), recently conducted a vital training session with probation officers and childcare officers.

The unit in keeping with its mandate to raise awareness of the new Family Violence Act, hosted the session which aimed to strengthen the knowledge and capacity of the officers in addressing family violence cases effectively, thereby ensuring better protection and support for survivors.

In 2024, the Family Violence Bill was successfully passed in the National Assembly with the aim of enhancing protection for victims of family violence.

The Family Violence Bill No.11 of 2024 intended to implement modifications to the general framework surrounding domestic violence and policies. Its passage led to the repeal of the Domestic Violence Act.

In addition to the inclusion of provisions from the old act, the expansion of the kinds of violence the piece of legislation sought to address and the categories of persons who are entitled to seek and obtain such protection were also included in the bill.

The bill underscored that domestic violence has been recognised as violence between current and former partners in intimate settings. Because the old act did not address the kinds of violence perpetuated daily and did not provide protection to persons from violence arising from familial relationships, the term ‘family violence’ was added to the bill. This expansive term relates to all forms of violence between family members.

The SODVPU seeks to protect, promote and preserve the rights, dignity and worth of all Guyanese, by advocating for the provision of quality, comprehensive and responsive services to victims of sexual, domestic and gender-based violence and their dependents as well as initiating actions that hold perpetrators accountable for their behaviour.

The SODVPU aims to enhance family and community resilience, through the promotion of responsive public policies that offer a supportive environment for individuals who are at risk of and/or may experience sexual, domestic and gender-based violence.

It seeks to promote an inclusive society, where Guyanese are respected, equipped, empowered and supported, to live violence-free lives.

The unit is responsible for the development, promotion and implementation of educational programmes for the prevention of domestic violence. This includes specific groups and sectors in which domestic violence is manifested.
Additionally, it collaborates with the Guyana Police Force, and other government agencies and key stakeholders to study, investigate and publish reports on the prevalence of domestic violence in Guyana; develops and promotes strategies that encourage policy change and improve service delivery for victims of domestic violence, and establishes and encourages the development of programmes on information, support and counselling services for victims of domestic violence.

Furthermore, it encourages programmes and services for boys and girls who experience family violence; provides training and orientation services for police officers and other key professionals who assist in the treatment and counselling of victims of domestic violence and abuse; and analyses and implements studies on the need for education, training and rehabilitation of perpetrators of domestic violence.