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Posted: Friday 3 October, 2014 at 12:37 PM

Protocol Signing Reaffirms Government’s Commitment To Social Justice

Logon to vibesbvi.com... British Virgin Islands News 
Press Release

    Thursday, October 2, 2014 - The Government of the Virgin Islands ushered in a new era for social justice and ending family violence by signing the Domestic Violence and Child Protection Protocols on October 1 during Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

     

    The Protocols, which outline comprehensive and multidisciplinary guidelines for the handling of domestic violence and child protection matters across various government agencies, were signed by Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton; Minister for Education and Culture, Honourable Myron V. Walwyn; Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr. Wayne Rajbansie; and Commissioner of Police, Mr. David Morris.

    In his remarks, Minister Skelton said, “The signing of these protocols today signals the commitment of each of the agencies to manage cases professionally, and with the utmost sensitivity.”

    The Domestic Violence Protocol is focused on acts of violence, whether physical or verbal abuse, on an adult sexual or intimate partner, whether the parties live in the same household or have a visiting relationship. It establishes standards for contact between key agencies in order to define professional roles and responsibilities; strengthen and clarify relationships between relevant agencies; improve the credibility and accountability of the agencies involved in handling domestic violence issues; inform and educate the wider community about how cases of domestic violence are handled; and ensure consistency in the way that such cases are managed.

    The protocol is welcomed by key response agencies as an important resource to help ensure that domestic violence matters are safely, routinely and consistently identified and appropriately addressed.

    Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Health and Social Development, Mrs. Petrona Davies, mentioned that the protocol was developed with technical assistance from the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women); Magistrate’s Court; Royal Virgin Islands Police Force; Social Development Department; BVI Health Services Authority; BVI Bar Association; and the Family Support Network.

    Acts of violence against children, including those committed within households, will be addressed in the Child Protection Protocol led by the Social Development Department. The protocol provides systematic guidance for coordinated action in child abuse case management, reflects the input of a wide cross-section of stakeholders and acts as a collaborative tool to ensure that agencies are working together without duplicating or overlapping tasks, thereby ensuring that available resources are utilised efficiently and effectively.

    Mrs. Davies added that the development of the Child Protection Protocol was done with technical support from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). Other stakeholders, including the police, judiciary, churches, healthcare providers; and persons operating educational institutions, day-care centres, and community organisations are also required to play critical roles, as multi-disciplinary collaboration is widely recognised as the most effective approach to handling child protection matters.

    For more information on the Domestic Violence Protocol, contact the Office of Gender Affairs at 468- 3701, extension 2236 and on the Child Protection Protocol, contact the Social Development Department at 468-3650.

    The Ministry of Health and Social Development endeavours to provide leadership that promotes health, social well-being and a safe environment.
     
     
     

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