Monday, November 9 – The Ministry of Health and Social Development is proceeding with plans to implement “Partnership for Peace: A Domestic Violence Intervention Programme”, with assistance from the United Nations’ Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM).
Acting Permanent Secretary Mrs. Petrona N. Davies announced the initiative when she spoke recently at a joint press conference with a visiting UNIFEM delegation to launch the new programme in the Territory.
Citing the growing police reports of domestic violence Mrs. Davies said the Government acknowledges that there is a need to implement urgent measures to reduce the incidents.
“Work is ongoing to strengthen the provisions of our Domestic Violence Act and to develop and implement a Domestic Violence Protocol in collaboration with partners across the public, private, and voluntary sectors”, said the acting Permanent Secretary.
UNIFEM Consultant Mrs. Jacqueline Sealy-Burke said the Partnership for Peace Domestic Violence Intervention Programme is a regional initiative. “The programme is geared at male-on-female violence, because the disproportionate amount of incidents is male perpetrated violence on women”, she noted.
Mrs. Sealy-Burke said the UNIFEM initiative was successfully piloted in Grenada in 2005, and has since been implemented in several other Caribbean countries. “We are currently getting the BVI prepared to join the ranks of Caribbean states that are offering the programme”, she added.
Head of the Office of Gender Affairs Ms. Patricia Hackett said Partnership for Peace is a 16-week violence prevention psycho-educational programme for male perpetrators. She also noted that it is a court-connected programme and referrals will mainly come from the court.
Ms. Hackett said the goals of the programme include helping participants discontinue violence in their lives, while accepting responsibility for their behaviour and choose new behavioural patterns.
Ms. Hackett further noted that local facilitators will be trained to administer the programme in the Territory. A training exercise is expected to be held later from November 23 – 27.
During the October 14-16 visit to the Territory members of the UNIFEM delegation met with the Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Social Development Honourable Dancia Penn, OBE, QC. They introduced the Partnership for Peace Domestic Violence Programme, which is also referred to as the Batterers Intervention Programme, to several local stakeholders, including the judiciary.
The Ministry of Health and Social Development aspires to provide leadership that promotes health, social wellbeing, and a safe environment as positive resources for living and sustainable development of the Territory.
British Virgin Islands News