Two-Day workshop aimed at reducing domestic violence begins today

A two-day workshop, aimed at reducing the incidence of domestic violence in the Kingston Western Police Division, began today (November 18), at the Denham Town Community Centre.
The workshop, hosted by the Strategic Review Implementation Team (SRIT) of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) targets 300 front line responders from the Denham Town, Tivoli Gardens, Hannah Town, Craig Town, Fletcher’s Land and Trench Town areas.
Manager of the SRIT, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Novelette Grant explained that domestic violence damages the prospects for economic and social development of any country.
“Abuse affects children’s performance in school and therefore their future productivity and returns on national investments in schooling. Our objective is to get you our front line responders to recognise that domestic violence is a crime; it damages not just the victims, but the society on a whole,” ACP Grant told the participants.

Programme Manager, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Jonathan Burke gives his remarks at a two-day workshop, aimed at reducing the incidence of domestic violence in the Kingston Western Police Division. The workshop began today (November 18), at the Denham Town Community Centre.

“Communities can’t be safe if homes and children are not safe. The country cannot become a better country economically and socially if the homes are not safe for children. So, over the next two days we want to help you to recognise the dynamics of domestic violence, the cycle of abuse and to talk to you about our culture and socialisation,” she added.
ACP Grant emphasised that there is a need to create a network of support as a means of creating safer communities in Jamaica.
“As police officers, when a report is made to us about a battering from a spouse, or a child who is being battered by a parent, we are only able to provide law enforcement services and beyond that we really are not left with anything. But, if we know of other persons, for example, the social worker, we can make reference. If we know of any other support organisation that can provide counselling, we can also make reference,” ACP Grant said.
In his remarks, Programme Manager, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Jonathan Burke urged the participants to share their knowledge and expertise “to not only identify solutions, but to implement them as well.”
“We are trying to move away from just talking to actually being examples by doing. I wish to encourage you to use this workshop as a catalyst to assist you all to become experts at being able to identify and to prevent domestic violence wherever and whenever you can, both in your professional as well as private capacity,” Mr. Burke said.

Members from the Sistren Theatre Collective and Hannah Town Drama Group perform an item at a two-day workshop, aimed at reducing the incidence of domestic violence in the Kingston Western Police Division. The workshop began today (November 18), at the Denham Town Community Centre.

Domestic violence is abusive and violent behaviour between people who are married or living together, have ongoing or prior intimate relationships or couples who have children together. Although approximately 95 per cent of victims are women, men can also be victims.
The abuse can be physical, ranging from slaps and kicks to punching and stabbing; or psychological, including threats or verbal abuse that makes a person fear for their own safety or the safety of their children or even pets.
The participants include: health workers, guidance counsellors, teachers, social workers, members of the community and faith based organisations.