Minister of Human Services and Social Security Vindhya Persaud on Wednesday said that she is “deeply disturbed” and “horrified” at the recent incidents of violence against women and is calling for “harsher” penalties for the perpetrators of these acts.
Speaking to reporters at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), Persaud said that while reports were made to the police, the Ministry is actively involved and apart from offering support to the victims, they are ensuring that the required procedures are carried out in a “humane” way.
Persaud noted that the Ministry is “continuously” and “consistently” providing social help, counselling and working towards ensuring that the environment is comfortable and safe.
The Minister called for the perpetrators to face the full force of the law.
“We hope that the perpetrators of all of these acts of violence would face the full force of the law and they will be dealt with condignly,” she said while adding “I would like to see harsher penalties against persons who perpetrate this kind of violence and authority against women in general.
To address the issue of violence, Persaud said the Ministry had since rolled out a number of program-mes including the Survi-vors advocate programme and the launch of the 914 hotline.
The Survivors advocate programme, Persaud said is designed to offer support to persons who are/were victims of violence.
She urged persons to utilize the 914 hotline and report incidents of violence without any hesitancy. “Report it because the only way that action can be taken is if a report is made,” she noted.
The two programmes, she added are linked. “So if persons, in addition to the point of making a report needs someone to help them to get to the police, they need counselling, they need support, they need a safe place, they need any other kind of psychosocial support, that entire programme is geared towards that,” Persaud explained.
Persaud also stated that the Ministry is currently looking to increase the number of shelters and “safe spaces” for women. This, she said, is catered for in this year’s budget.
