Red Thread yesterday blamed the lack of political will to ensure enforcement of legal protections for creating a “culture” that excuses and ignores domestic violence.
“…[W]e are concerned about the apparent absence of political will at the top to ensure that the protections promised by the law are made real; the result is that the deplorable conduct of some prosecutors, policemen and women, magistrates, and social and medical workers is allowed to go unchecked, given the absence of the necessary regulations and protocols. There is nothing to hold them to a higher standard – neither morality nor the fear of being held accountable,” Red Thread said in a statement.
Yesterday was International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women.
The rights group added that in the election season, the concerns by contesting parties for women should have been demonstrated by a willingness to ensure that the abusers of women and children were weeded off the lists. “It is not too late to pledge that in future, the domestic and sexual abuse of women and children will be a disqualification from serving in any government of which you are part,” it said, while adding, “We are tired of the double standard!”
“Fifteen years after the Domestic Violence Act was passed into law, with few exceptions, Guyanese who are asked would say that domestic violence is a worsening problem in Guyana,” the group said in a statement yesterday, while noting that police recently reported a 21% increase for the year in domestic murders that included five children among the victims.
Red Thread said it was “concerned” that after countless hours of training, “some police officers still dismiss domestic violence reports as family business, and probably the women’s fault.” The group is also concerned some magistrates seem not to recognise the need to expeditiously hear applications under the Domestic Violence Act, and allow lawyers to apply for repeated extensions of time.
“We are concerned that the “culture” still excuses and ignores the abusive behaviours – particularly of men in high places,” it noted.
