Guyana: Domestic violence situation and police effectiveness; whether the police would respond differently to a domestic violence complaint from a woman about abusive behaviour from a spouse as opposed to a non-cohabiting boyfriend; if so, whether police response would vary from individual to individual, for example, whether police response would differ if the woman complainant is reporting abuse from a current spouse, former spouse, common-law partner, or boyfriend (2003-2005)

Various sources of 2004 and 2005 noted that domestic violence was reportedly widespread across the country (Country Reports 2004 28 Feb. 2005, Sec 5; Freedom House 11 Aug. 2005; Stabroek News 31 Mar. 2005). Stabroek News reported that 2,395 cases of domestic violence were reported to the police in 2004, an increase from the 1,100 incidents recorded in 2003 (ibid.). Moreover, according to police statistics, domestic violence was responsible for 51 fatalities in 2004, while 46 individuals were slain during the period of 1 January to 20 November 2005 (ibid. 27 Nov. 2005). From 1 January to 31 May 2005, the local non-governmental organization (NGO) Help and Shelter addressed 180 cases of abuse, including 65 cases of spousal physical abuse (Help and Shelter 31 May 2005).

In 2005, the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) observed an overall lack of progress by relevant authorities to address domestic violence (UN 22 July 2005, 6). In particular, CEDAW was "concerned that victims [were] reluctant to report cases of abuse for fear of being stigmatized" (ibid.). Moreover, CEDAW stated that services for victims "such as shelters and legal, medical and psychological support" were inadequate (ibid.).

In an earlier response to CEDAW, the government of Guyana cited a number of factors keeping victims from seeking legal protection, including a lack of understanding about law enforcement's role vis-à-vis domestic violence, the victim's socio-economic status, and the country's poorly funded legal aid system (Guyana 10 June 2005, 5). Moreover, domestic and international human rights sources of 2004 and 2005 reported that systemic deficiencies within the legal system tended to alienate female victims of violence (AI 2005; Stabroek News 8 Mar. 2005). For example, the Guyana Human Rights Association stated in March 2005 that, with reference to the situation of gender violence, "the Bar and the Bench are institutionally ambivalent about protecting women" (ibid.).

Police effectiveness

With regard to improving police effectiveness, the Government of Guyana, in collaboration with the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), has established training programs for police personnel (Canada 5 Dec. 2005). According to CIDA, police recruits now receive mandatory training on the Domestic Violence Act (DVA) and "police stations have set aside space for interviewing persons reporting domestic violence" (ibid.). Nevertheless, despite training efforts, Help and Shelter noted that some officers' understanding of the DVA was limited (Country Reports 2004 28 Feb. 2005, Sec. 5; see also Red Thread 8 Dec. 2005).

At a multi-stakeholder meeting on gender-based violence in March 2005, a representative of the Guyana Association of Professional Social Workers was of the opinion that police stations did not provide "a conducive environment for victims" who wanted to report a domestic violence complaint (Stabroek News 31 Mar. 2005). Moreover, the representative claimed that some victims choose not to file complaints due to certain attitudes and behaviours displayed by some police officers (ibid.). On the other hand, Police Commissioner Winston Felix stated that officers are put in a difficult position when many victims drop their case after reporting it to the police (ibid.).

Police response to domestic violence complaints

In a 13 December 2005 telephone interview, a representative of Help and Shelter stated that she was not aware of cases in which the police responded differently to domestic violence situations based on relationship type between victim and abuser. She further noted that the police generally approach all domestic violence calls in a similar manner.

A representative with the Red Thread Women's Collective stated in an 8 December 2005 telephone interview that while she could not comment on individual cases where police response differed, she did note that overall police response to domestic violence situations had not improved in the past five years. The representative claimed that despite a number of past and ongoing training and education efforts to better prepare officers for domestic violence cases, police response was the same as it was in 2000 (8 Dec. 2005).

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 additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Amnesty International. 2005. "Guyana." Amnesty International Report 2005. [Accessed 7 Dec. 2005]

Canada. 5 December 2005. Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). "Addressing Gender-Based Violence in Guyana." [Accessed 6 Dec. 2005]

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2004. 28 February 2005. "Guyana." United States Department of State. [Accessed 6 Dec. 2005]

Freedom House. 11 August 2005. "Guyana." Freedom in the World 2005. [Accessed 5 Dec. 2005]

Guyana. 10 June 2005. In United Nations. Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), Thirty-third Session, 5-22 July 2005. Responses to the List of Issues and Questions for Consideration of the Combined Third, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Periodic Report. (CEDAW/PSWG/2005/II/CRP.2/Add.5). [Accessed 7 Dec. 2005]

Help and Shelter, Georgetown. 13 December 2005. Telephone interview with a representative.
_____. 31 May 2005. "Help & Shelter Crisis Service Yearly Client Data 1 January 2005 – 31 May 2005." [Accessed 7 Dec. 2005]

Red Thread Women's Collective, Georgetown. 8 December 2005. Telephone interview with a representative.

Stabroek News [Georgetown]. 27 November 2005. "Robbery under Arms Up 50% – Most of the Guns Used Come from Brazil." [Accessed 7 Dec. 2005]
_____. 31 March 2005. "Domestic Violence Act Not Working – Chief Probation Officer – Police Seek Social Services Support in Tackling Issue." [Accessed 31 Mar. 2005]
_____. 8 March 2005. "Reality Falls below Legal Intent – Human Rights Body." [Accessed 8 Mar. 2005]

United Nations (UN). 22 July 2005. Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). Thirty-third Session 5-22 July 2005. Concluding Comments: Guyana. (CEDAW/C/GUY/CO/3-6). [Accessed 6 Dec. 2005]

Additional Sources Consulted

Attempts to contact the Guyana Association of Women Lawyers were unsuccessful within time constraints.

Internet sites, including: European Country of Origin Information Network (ECOI), Factiva, Human Rights Watch, The Latin American and Caribbean Committee for the Defense of Women's Rights (CLADEM), Organization of American States, Inter-American Commission of Women, World News Connection (WNC).