58 recommendations were made to tackle interpersonal violence

Georgetown: A National Committee has been established by the Home Affairs Ministry to tackle issues relating to interpersonal violence.

The Committee will be reviewing recommendations that were made following a conference hosted by the Ministry on interpersonal violence last November, with a view of implementing them.

According to Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee, some 58 recommendations were made. He pointed out that when violence-related crimes such as domestic violence, interpersonal violence, gang-related violence and violence at schools occurs, then persons look to the Guyana Police Force and the Home Affairs Ministry as regulatory bodies for help, hence the need for such a committee.

Rohee disclosed that he had approached Cabinet with the recommendations and proposed that a committee be set up to oversee these recommendations. He noted that Cabinet subsequently approved the establishment of the Committee, which would be spearheaded by his Ministry.

The Committee includes representatives from various agencies. These are: the Ministries of Home Affairs; Labour, Human Services and Social Security; Education; Youth, Culture, and Sport; Health; Amerindian Affairs; Legal Affairs; and Finance along with faith-based organisations, youth organisations, women organisations and Non-Governmental Organisations.

Monday’s meeting is the first engagement of the Committee and according to the Minister, while all of the agencies were not present, those present are sufficient to get the Committee’s work going.

Strategic plan

At the opening of the National Conference for Prevention of Interpersonal Violence, President Donald Ramotar said that there is no fixed approach to addressing the issue of interpersonal violence. However, he had urged the participants of the Conference to work as a cohesive unit and come up with strategic plans to tackle violence in all its manifestations from a national standpoint.

The President noted that interpersonal violence is becoming a major economic burden and the lives of Guyanese and too many young people are being cut down by the senseless acts of their fellow citizens. Ramotar noted that violence poses a threat to the personal security of every citizen of a country.

“Interpersonal violence is not just a personal and social matter, it is also a public security concern. The State has a general responsibility for law and order and for the protection of its citizens… interpersonal violence presents a treat to the social order and the safety of citizens and is, therefore, a legitimate concern to those entrusted with ensuring public safety,” the President had said.