The new Domestic Violence Law

Soroptimist International of St Vincent and the Grenadines continues its effort to educate women and girls on the new law passed in St Vincent and the Grenadines in 2015 and brought into effect on November 16, 2016 – The Domestic Violence Act No. 7 of 2015.

The New Law is a vast improvement on the former law. It spells out clearly who is an abuser; who can apply to the Court; what constitutes “a domestic relationship”; what amounts to “ domestic violence”; what is “harassment,” “intimidation”; who is a “ member of the household”; what is “ sexual abuse”; what is “stalking”; what is a “ visiting relationship”; what is “ emotional, verbal and psychological abuse”.{{more}}

The Family Court is the Court which would hear the applications for the (applicable/appropriate) Protection Order . The application may be brought by a spouse, a child, a dependant, a sibling of consanguinity or affinity; or a person who has a material interest in the well-being of the applicant, such as a police officer, the director of Family Services, a probation officer; an approved social worker, with or without the consent of the applicant in certain circumstances.

The application may be brought outside the ordinary hours of the Court or a day which is not an ordinary day for the sitting of a Court.

An affidavit must be made and must include the facts of the matter; the nature of order needed; and the name of the police station at which the applicant is likely to report any breach of the order. A supporting affidavit of any person who has knowledge of the matter can also be made; the applicant can request that his/her physical address be omitted from the Protection Order.

The Court will provide a legal officer to assist the applicant.

A new provision is the information to victim and applicant, regarding his or her rights – see card. Moreover, there is a specific role for medical personnel and teachers. (To be continued)