Dear Editor,
The recent outreach work of the Men’s Affairs Bureau (MAB) is described in an article ‘“Don’t paint all men with one brush” -MAB’ in the Guyana Times of March 23. The MAB is reported as engaging in outreach work with men to deal with domestic violence and other forms of gender based violence.
It is reported among other things, that the MAB is concerned that “social groups are bias[ed] in their outlook as women are assumed victims before the entire situation is heard.”
It is shocking that the Ministry of Human Services and Men’s Affairs Bureau seem to believe that that there is an ‘equal side to the story’ given by men who brutalise and terrorise their families. It is surprising if they also believe that those who provide services for victims are biased and are not doing their jobs properly.
There was a Domestic Violence Policy which was drafted and launched, but neither the previous nor the current Minister of Human Services and Social Security did much to implement that policy. One of the principles of this policy was that “The safety and wellbeing of those who are victims of domestic violence must be the first priority for any response.” Another principle was that “Perpetrators of domestic violence must be held responsible for their behaviour, and acts that constitute a criminal offence must be dealt with accordingly. Counselling programmes should be initiated for all domestic violence offenders and specialised counselling services established at accredited agencies.” These principles were grounded in the learning experience of all the agencies and organisations which were providing services. The Ministry of Human Services and Men’s Affairs Bureau seem to have shifted their views and want to put bias on those who ensure the safety of victims of violence.
There is no bias in providing services for victims of domestic violence without exposing them to risk of further abuse from perpetrators. The experience of abuse is that there are periods of ‘regret’ and ‘apology even though is you made me do it,’ followed by more abuse and violence. There is no bias in ensuring that abusive persons are held responsible for their behaviour.
Yours faithfully,
Vidyaratha Kissoon