Tuesday December 4, 2007 - The Division of Gender Relations will
be holding a one-day consultation to review the implementation of the Domestic
Violence Act. The objective of the consultation is to review the institutional
arrangement for the effective application of the provisions of the Act, and make
recommendations to address any obstacles or challenges that may hinder the
successful implementation of the Act. The consultation is part of the observance
of 16 days & activism against gender-based violence, which commenced on November
25, International Day of Protest Against Violence Against Women. The theme for
this year’s observance is “Demanding Implementation, Challenging
Obstacles: End Violence Against Women.”
While there has been much progress made, challenges still persist that hinder
the effectiveness of the work being done by anti-Violence Against Women
activists and organizations. The 2007 16 Days Campaign dedicates this year’s
theme to overcoming those challenges and obstacles in order to gain long overdue
results in the struggle to end violence Against Women. It also seeks to help
dismantle obstacles and overcome challenges posed by social attitudes and
policies that continue to condone and perpetrate gender-based violence.
The consultation will take place on Tuesday 4th December 2007 at the Bay Gardens
Inn, Rodney Bay, from 9:00 a.m, and will target officers of the Vulnerable
Persons Unit and the Writ Department of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force, the
Department of Human Services and Family Affairs, The Family Court, the Women’s
Support Centre. the Gender-based Violence Community response Teams and the Saint
Lucia Crisis Centre.
The Consultation will begin with the launching of the Vulnerable Persons Team (VPT)
of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force. This Unit was recently established, with
specially trained officers, who will deal with all child abuse investigations
across the island, and provide technical support in cases of domestic abuse. It
is expected that the VPT will liaise with governmental and non-government
agencies to ensure that the necessary exchange of information and joint working
practices are adopted and strengthened.
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