40 officers better equipped to deal with domestic violence

Close to 40 police officers should now be better equipped to deal with domestic violence.{{more}}

The officers, selected from various divisions of the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force, were participants in a two-day workshop in domestic violence intervention and prevention, facilitated by the National Council of Women (NCW).

The workshop, which is the third of four to be held by the NCW, in collaboration with Marion House, was held at the Old Montrose Police Station from November 24 to 25.

The workshops are funded by the British High Commission office for the Eastern Caribbean, and saw 42 social workers being trained in September, and 26 schools’ guidance counselors in October.

The fourth and final workshop will be held for nurses next month.

Over the two days, the officers tackled a number of topics pertaining to domestic violence, including gender awareness, the nature and cost of domestic violence, conducting interviews and compiling statements and the criminal justice system.

Facilitators for the workshop consisted of President of the NCW Nelcia Robinson Hazell, Acting Director of Marion House Barbara Matthews, Gender consultant Jacintha James, and Polly Olliver of the Gender Affairs Division.

Robinson-Hazell, addressing the officers, lauded them for their participation in the workshop and said she considered them the frontline workers, who are charged with the eradication of domestic violence and violence on a whole in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Also addressing the officers at last Thursday’s opening ceremony was Commissioner of Police Keith Miller, who noted it was the responsibility of every police officer to respond sensitively to victims of domestic violence, and said that it was his expectation that those present at the workshop would share the information received at the workshop with their peers when they return to their various departments.