Guyana: Prevalence of domestic violence, availability of state protection, recourse and services available to victims

Prevalence of domestic violence

According to the United States (US) Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2007, domestic violence in Guyana is "widespread" (US 11 Mar. 2008, Sec. 5). At least one out of every three women in Guyana has reportedly been a victim of domestic violence (Radio Jamaica 13 June 2008; Help and Shelter n.d.a).

Sources consulted by the Research Directorate indicate that the problem of domestic violence affects women in Guyana of all racial and socio-economic backgrounds (US 11 Mar. 2008, Sec. 5; Kaieteur News 12 June 2008a). Help and Shelter, an organization founded in 1995 that specializes in combating all types of violence, especially domestic violence and child abuse (Help and Shelter n.d.b), compiles data on the characteristics of the clients it serves (ibid. 6 Aug. 2008). According to statistics updated on 6 August 2008, Help and Shelter served 324 clients between 1 January 2008 and 30 July 2008, including 128 Afro-Guyanese clients, 112 Indo-Guyanese clients and 84 clients from other ethnic groups (Help and Shelter 6 Aug. 2008). Country Reports 2007 reports that Help and Shelter handled a total of 739 cases of domestic violence in 2007 (US 11 Mar. 2008, Sec. 5). Of these cases, 538 involved spousal abuse directed against women (ibid.).

Statistics released by the government of Guyana on 12 June 2008 indicate that there were over 3,600 cases of domestic violence reported in 2007 as compared to 1,708 the previous year (Guyana Chronicle 12 June 2008; Stabroek News 12 June 2008). The largest increase was recorded in Berbice, where the number of reported cases rose from approximately 300 cases in 2006, to approximately 1,890 cases in 2007 (ibid.; Guyana Chronicle 12 June 2008).

Legislation

The Domestic Violence Act of 31 December 1996 provides for protection under the law to victims of domestic violence offences, which are defined in Paragraph 2(f) as "prescribed offence[s] committed by a person against a person with whom he is associated or a relevant child" (Guyana 31 Dec. 1996). A "prescribed offence" is defined under Paragraph 2(o) of the Act as follows:

(i) murder or attempted murder

(ii) manslaughter

(iii) the use or threatened use of any other violence or physical or emotional injury

(iv) a rape offence within the meaning of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act. (ibid.)

Help and Shelter adds that the Act also affords protection from anyone who has lived in the household in the past (with the exception of former tenants or employees unless there were sexual relations involved), relatives or "any person with whom the victim has had a sexual relationship" (n.d.c). Country Reports 2007 notes that spousal rape is not illegal (US 11 Mar. 2008, Sec. 5).

The Domestic Violence Act sets out the criteria that must be met when applying for a protection order (Guyana 31 Dec. 1996, Sec. 4-5) and lists a number of different provisions that a protection order may contain (ibid., Para. 6(1)(a)-(n)). Applications for protection orders are filed with the clerk of the magistrate's court (Red Thread n.d.a, 4). A victim may file an application personally or an application may be filed on the victim's behalf by a "person associated with the respondent" [i.e., the alleged abuser (Guyana 31 Dec. 1996, Para. 2(s)], a police officer or a qualified social worker (Guyana 31 Dec. 1996, Subs. 4(1); Help and Shelter n.d.c). The clerk schedules an "in camera" hearing to be held within seven days of receiving the application (Red Thread n.d.a, 4-6; Help and Shelter n.d.c). In cases where the victim is in immediate danger, an order for protection may be passed as soon as the application is filed (ibid.). The person against whom the protection order is filed is liable to a fine of up to ten thousand Guyanese dollars [approximately 54 Canadian dollars (Oanda 10 Sept. 2008)] or up to twelve months' imprisonment for violating the prescribed provisions (Guyana 31 Dec. 1996, Sec. 32; Red Thread n.d.a, 12; US 11 Mar. 2008, Sec. 5). However, Country Reports 2007 notes that this law "frequently was not enforced" (ibid.).

Subsection 44(1) of the Domestic Violence Act designates the responsibilities of the Director of Human Services of the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security in alleviating the problem of domestic violence (Guyana 31 Dec. 1996; Red Thread n.d.a, 18). These include developing educational programs, publishing reports, raising public awareness, establishing support services and providing police training (ibid., 18-19; Guyana 31 Dec. 1996, Subs. 44(1)).

The government of Guyana is a signatory to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (Guyana 10 July 2003).

Police response

The Domestic Violence Act gives police the authority to enter any premises without a warrant if there are "reasonable grounds" to believe that a protection order has been breached, or that an individual has suffered or is in "imminent danger" of suffering "physical injury" (Guyana 31 Dec. 1996, Sec. 33; Red Thread n.d.a, 15; Stabroek News 14 June 2008). Under Section 42 of the Act, the attending officer is obliged to render assistance to the victim, including taking measures to ensure that the victim receives medical assistance and is brought to a safe location as warranted by the situation (Guyana 31 Dec. 1996, Para. 42(a)-(b); Red Thread n.d.a, 17). The officer must also inform the victim of his or her rights, make a full report of the incident and maintain the confidentiality of those involved (Guyana 31 Dec. 1996, Sec. 42-43; Red Thread n.d.a, 18).

The Guyana Chronicle reports that some victims are still unaware of their rights and may be too afraid to file a complaint, but cites Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee as indicating that when victims do file a complaint, police sometimes offer little support (12 June 2008).

Despite receiving training from international partners such as Canada (Ottawa Citizen 15 July 2006) and the United States (US), and from local organizations such as Help and Shelter, the police reportedly continue to take a "laisse-faire" attitude toward domestic violence (Stabroek News 14 June 2008). According to Kaieteur News, the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security has received complaints of police inaction and has ensured that officers attend seminars on dealing with cases of domestic abuse (13 June 2008). A source reported to be "close" to a training college for police told Kaieteur News that police officers are "routinely exposed to a variety of supplementary training, which includes domestic violence" (12 June 2008b).

New Government Policy

In June 2008, the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security launched the National Policy on Domestic Violence under the theme "Break the Cycle, Take Control," (Guyana Chronicle 12 June 2008; Stabroek News 12 June 2008). The Policy aims to guide government interventions related to domestic violence (ibid.; Guyana Chronicle 12 June 2008). A proposed "common service protocol" was announced at the launch and will include the police, health, education and social service sectors (Kaieteur News 12 June 2008a). Resources will be allocated to the Guyana Police Force to establish domestic violence units in each division (ibid.).

Implementation of the National Policy on Domestic Violence will be overseen by the National Domestic Violence Oversight Committee (Kaieteur News 12 June 2008a; Help and Shelter 16 April 2007, 6), which includes members from several government ministries, national commissions, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the magistracy and the Guyana Police Force (ibid.). Following a September 2008 meeting of the Committee, the Minister of Amerindian Affairs announced that services for victims of domestic abuse would be offered at selected health centres (Stabroek News 5 Sept. 2008). In addition, the Guyana Association of Women Lawyers (GAWL), which is a member of the Committee, organized a lecture to educate Amerindian women from remote regions of Guyana where access to help is limited and the issue of domestic violence is reportedly "'rife'" (ibid.).

Services available to victims

The Caribbean Association for Feminist Research and Action (CAFRA), a regional umbrella organization encompassing feminist groups, individual researchers, and organizations serving women (CAFRA 30 Aug. 2005), produced a list of organizations that deal with domestic violence issues that includes the following three organizations in Guyana: Help and Shelter, the Red Thread Women's Development Organisation (Red Thread) and the Women's Affairs Bureau (CAFRA n.d.). Help and Shelter and Red Thread are NGOs (Help and Shelter n.d.a), whereas the Women's Affairs Bureau is a government unit established in 1981, which falls under the auspices of the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security (Guyana n.d.).

Help and Shelter offers support for victims at court, carries out public education campaigns and provides counselling and up to six months' shelter to women victims of domestic violence and their children (Help and Shelter n.d.a). The number of people using the services offered by Help and Shelter has been increasing, apparently as a result of the organization's public information campaigns (Canada 8 Oct. 2008). If Help and Shelter cannot provide a space at its shelter, it will try to find safe accommodation elsewhere for women and children who are escaping abusive situations (ibid. Sept. 2007, 29). Further information on shelters could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

Help and Shelter also provides a comprehensive list of resources for women, researched and prepared by Red Thread, which includes a wide range of social, health and educational services (Red Thread n.d.b). Red Thread is a Guyanese self-help organization that assists women "across race divides" and provides information, skill development and other resources to address the "inequalities that oppress grassroots women" (WILPF n.d.).

The Women's Affairs Bureau offers a wide range of services in the ten administrative regions of Guyana (Guyana n.d.). Its mission is to work toward eliminating discrimination against women, help women reach their full potential, and "ensure their integration in the national development of the country" (ibid.). It offers services such as counselling on matters of domestic violence, spousal abuse and sexual harassment (ibid.). In particular, it seeks to educate the population about the new legislation (Canada 8 Oct. 2008).

Free legal aid services for victims of domestic violence are available through the Georgetown Legal Aid Clinic, a registered charitable company which provides free or subsidized legal assistance to those lacking the means to pay for it (Georgetown Legal Aid Clinic n.d.). Its website provides a free downloadable booklet entitled the Law and You II, a guide produced by GAWL, which contains information on the Domestic Violence Act and other legislation relevant to women (ibid.). Legal advice is offered at three locations of the Georgetown Legal Aid Clinic in Guyana including Georgetown, West Coast Berbice and the Essequibo Coast (ibid.). Another office is scheduled to open in September 2008 in New Amsterdam, Berbice (ibid.).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Canada. 8 October 2008. High Commission of Canada in Georgetown, Guyana. Correspondence received from a Political Economic Analyst.

Caribbean Association for Feminist Research and Action (CAFRA). 30 August 2005. "What is CAFRA?" [Accessed 12 Sept. 2008]
_____. N.d. "Caribbean Crisis Centres and Agencies Working to Eradicate Violence Against Women." [Accessed 4 Sept. 2008]

Georgetown Legal Aid Clinic. N.d. "Welcome." [Accessed 12 Sept. 2008]

Guyana. 10 July 2003. Government Information Agency (GINA). "Government is Fulfilling its Mandate to Women." [Accessed 24 Sept. 2008]
_____. 31 December 1996. Domestic Violence Act. [Accessed 10 Sept. 2008]
_____. N.d. "Women's Affairs Bureau." [Accessed 4 Sept. 2008]

Guyana Chronicle. 12 June 2008. "Government of Guyana Launches Domestic Violence Policy." [Accessed 4 Sept. 2008]

Help and Shelter. 6 August 2008. "Statistics: Help and Shelter Crisis Service Yearly Client Data, 1 January 2008 – 30 July 2008." [Accessed 4 Sept. 2008]
_____. September 2007. "Governance, Policies and Procedures Manual." [Accessed 24 Sept. 2008]
_____. 16 April 2007. Draft Policy Recommendation for the Eradication of Domestic Violence Between Spouses and Between Intimate Partners. [Accessed 4 Sept. 2008]
_____. N.d.a. "About Help and Shelter." [Accessed 4 Sept. 2008]
_____. N.d.b. "Welcome." [Accessed 10 Sept. 2008]
_____. N.d.c. "Domestic Violence Act 1996." [Accessed 4 Sept. 2008]

Kaieteur News [Georgetown]. 13 June 2008. "Protection for the Family." [Accessed 4 Sept. 2008]
_____. 12 June 2008a. "Manickchand Launches National Domestic Violence Policy." [Accessed 11 Sept. 2008]
_____. 12 June 2008b. " Rohee Chastises Police over Response to Domestic Violence." [Accessed 4 Sept. 2008]

Oanda. 10 September 2008. "FXConverter Results." [Accessed 10 Sept. 2008]

Ottawa Citizen. 15 July 2006. Susan Mohamed. "Guyana Looks North for Policing Help." (Guyana Chronicle) [Accessed 10 Sept. 2008]

Radio Jamaica. 13 June 2008. "New Policy on Domestic Abuse in Guyana." [Accessed 10 Sept. 2008]

Red Thread Women's Development Organisation (Red Thread). N.d.a. Household Guide to the Domestic Violence Act of 1996. (Georgetown Legal Aid Clinic) [Accessed 4 Sept. 2008]
_____. N.d.b. Listing of Community Resource Groups. (Help and Shelter) [Accessed 4 Sept. 2008]

Stabroek News. 5 September 2008. "Positive First Steps Made on Implementing Domestic Violence Policy." [Accessed 10 Sept. 2008]
_____. 14 June 2008. "National Policy." [Accessed 4 Sept. 2008]
_____. 12 June 2008. "Rohee Urges Police to Get Serious as National Policy on Domestic Violence Launched." [Accessed 4 Sept. 2008]

United States (US). 11 March 2008. "Guyana." Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2007. [Accessed 4 Sept. 2008]

Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF). N.d. "Guyana." [Accessed 15 Sept. 2008]

Additional Sources Consulted

Internet sources, including: Caribseek, Guyana Times, Organization of American States (OAS), Weekend Mirror, United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM).