Guyana: Information on protection and redress available to women who are victims of spousal abuse
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 July 1993 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | GUY14688 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Guyana: Information on protection and redress available to women who are victims of spousal abuse, 1 July 1993, GUY14688, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ac6d5f.html [accessed 29 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
According to a spokesperson of the Guyana Association of Women in Georgetown, Guyana, there are no specific procedures provided by the legal system for a woman to charge her spouse with assault (6 July 1993). There is no provision in the Guyanese law that specifies what punishment is to be applied for domestic violence against women (Ibid.). The source added that there is no legislation which deals with domestic violence against women (Ibid.). In order for a woman to bring charges of domestic violence against her spouse, she must go to the police and file a complaint; a medical certificate is required in the case of a rape (Ibid.). The plaintiff must then pursue the case through a lawyer and appear in court (Ibid.).
The spokesperson stated that domestic violence in Guyana is very common and constitutes a very grave problem in Guyanese society (Ibid.). Of the women interviewed by the association, 75% admit to experiencing different level of abuse (Ibid.). The spokesperson added that the local authorities and the police do not provide much assistance (Ibid.). She also reported that the police are often reluctant to intervene in domestic disputes (Ibid.).
There are no organization to assist women in such abusive situations (Ibid.). However, the government is in the process of forming a legal aid clinic which will include lawyers who will volunteer to represent women in court (Ibid.). The source also reported that the Guyana Association of Women is trying to build a shelter (Ibid.).
Additional and/or corroborative information on the requested subject could not be found among the sources currently available to the DIRB.
Reference
Guyana Association of Women, Georgetown. 6 July 1993. Telephone Interview with Representative.
