Complainants in domestic violence cases can apply directly to the court for protection orders without having to go to the police, which is ideal in instances where they may be experiencing difficulty with law enforcers, or where a lack of trust in the force may exist.
This disclosure was made by Principal Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus, during a media sensitisation forum held last month on the importance of providing fair, balanced and accurate reportage on domestic and sexual abuse cases.
In the business of administering justice, the media is just one of the key stakeholders in the partnership for achieving protection of human rights. Others she said, are the judiciary, the police force, probation officers, and non-governmental organisations, among others.