St. Lucia: Update to LCA31540.E of 12 March 1999 on legal recourse available to victims of spousal abuse; St. Lucia Cricis Centre annual statistics for 2000

Information in addition to that found in Country Reports 2000 is scarce.

In a telephone interview with the Research Directorate, the Executive Director of St. Lucia Crisis Centre in Casteries stated that women do not have access to legal recourse because they do not have the necessary financial resources to institute legal action against their aggressors (27 Aug. 2001). She explained that the legal aid clinic operated by the Roman Catholic Church was forced to close due to lack of funding. She further stated that when the Head of the St. Lucia Bar Association, Mrs. Lorraine Williams, was elected early this year, she proposed a general Legal Aid initiative that is expected to be of "great assistance" to women but it has not been implemented yet (ibid.).

An article in One Caribbean of 21 July 2001states that the Legal Aid initiative, which has the support of lawyers in St. Lucia, is expected to be implemented December 2001. The Bar Association has reportedly expressed its determination "to grant equal access to justice for all" (ibid.). However, according to One Caribbean, "concessions will only be made to those persons who pass a means test" based on a number of criteria including the applicant's income, legal expenses and assets (ibid.).

In a telephone interview with the Research Directorate, Lorraine Williams, explained that the initiative has not yet come into force because it is very recent (27 Aug. 2001). She explained that the Bar Association is currently drawing up a Project Proposal to be submitted to the government and other funding agencies for funding. She expects that the "initiative," which will be operated by the Bar Association, will be implemented by the end of the year (ibid.).

With regard to women victims of domestic violence, Lauren Williams stated that the "Legal Aid" initiative will have "tremendous" impact on them as they are one of the identified target groups. She emphasized that the means test will be applied equally to everyone who applies for legal aid. However, a Selection Committee, which will review all the applications, "may" give special preference to women victims of domestic violence (ibid.).

According to Gender Dialogue, a newsletter published by the Economic Community for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC),

the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) based in Saint Lucia, is currently implementing the Family Law and Domestic Violence Legislative Reform Project. The project's primary purpose is to reform the Justice System in the Eastern Caribbean to deal with domestic violence (Nov. 2000).

Lorraine Williams explained that The Family Law and Domestic Violence Act came into force six years ago. Under the Act, victims may be served with a protection order, and offenders can get counselling or be sent to jail. However, there are areas in the Family and Domestic Violence Act that need strengthening in terms of making it effective (27 Aug. 2001). She stated that in accordance with the Family Law and Domestic Legislative Reform Project, feasibility studies to review the Act are in progress in St. Lucia (ibid.).

For St. Lucia Crisis Centre Annual Statistics for 2000, please see the attached document, which provides breakdown of cases by sex and type (spousal abuse, child abuse, sexual abuse, drug addiction, miscellaneous, and repeat cases).

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 to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Gender Dialogue . November 2000. Issue No. 2. "Legislative Reform Project: Family Law & Domestic Violence. [Accessed: 8 Aug. 2001]

One Caribbean [St. Lucia]. 21 July 2001. Natalie Da Breo "Legal Aid Comes to St. Lucia."

St. Lucia Bar Association, Castries. 27 August 2001. Telephone interview with President, Mrs. Lorraine Williams.

St. Lucia Crisis Centre, Castries. 27 August 2001. Telephone interview with Executive Director.

Attachment

St. Lucia Crisis Centre. 3 August 2001. "Annual Statistics: New Cases Reported for 2000." Correspondence.

Additional Sources Consulted

Caribbean Association for Feminist Research and Action (CAFRAD), Castries

National Council of Voluntary Women's Association, Castries

Women's International Network (WIN)

Internet Sites including:

Caribbean Association for Feminist Research and Action (CAFRAD

United Nations Women's Watch.