Joint Select Committee on Domestic Violence (Amendment) Act to Meet Wednesday

The first meeting of the Joint Select Committee on the Domestic Violence (Amendment) Act will be convened on Wednesday (March 20).

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange, made the disclosure while addressing a recent International Women’s Day (IWD) event at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston.

She said that the aim of the meeting is to come up with a new and more impactful Act that will, among other things, strengthen protection for victims and deal appropriately with perpetrators.

“A new Act will be impactful. That will make a difference in the lives of those who experience domestic violence and to also save lives primarily,” the Minister noted.

Meanwhile, Minister Grange is reminding workplaces, institutions and landlords that consequent on the Sexual Harassment (Protection and Prevention) Act coming into operation on Monday, July 3, 2023, they are required to put in place a policy statement within 12 months of the commencement date of the Act.

“The deadline for government and private workplaces and institutions to develop and implement their policies is the end of June this year. I, therefore, encourage us all to make sure that our organisations are compliant by then,” Minister Grange said.

The sexual harassment policy should include, among other things, a definition of sexual harassment in keeping with the law, and a statement to the effect that workers, clients, students, residents, wards, inmates, patients or members, as the case may be, are entitled to an environment that is free of sexual harassment.

It should state, further, that disciplinary measures, where appropriate, shall be taken against any person under the direction of the employer, or the person in charge of the institution, who subjects any worker, client, student, resident, ward, inmate, patient or member, to sexual harassment and that due process shall be exercised in this regard.

The policy should also outline the internal mechanisms and procedures available to a complainant and the resolution and settlement of the complaints and should explain the disciplinary measures that may be taken in respect of sexual harassment.

Importantly, it should inform the workers, clients, students, residents, wards, inmates, patients or members, among others of their right to seek redress from the Tribunal under Act.