Prime Minister supports launch of Special Victims Unit and Abuse Hotline.
Prime Minister, Dr. the Right Honourable Keith Mitchell has affirmed Government’s full support for the newly launched Special Victims Unit within the Royal Grenada Police Force and the Sexual Abuse Hotline.
Speaking at the launch ceremony on Thursday, Dr. Mitchell said it is important that all citizens are protected. “A country that does not protect its citizens, especially the most vulnerable, is a country that is doomed to failure,” he said, adding, “you can have all the economic success but if you ignore the problems faced by the vulnerable and those crying for help, you will face enormous problems.”
Dr. Mitchell believes the new unit and hotline send the right message of “a caring society that
accepts responsibility for those who are vulnerable”.
Dr. Mitchell commended Minister for Social Development, Hon. Delma Thomas for her passion and commitment to addressing the plight of the vulnerable and mobilising stakeholders. He also acknowledged the initiative of the Acting Police Commissioner, Edvin Martin and his team in establishing the Special Victims Unit to address sexual violence, intimate partner violence and child abuse.
The Prime Minister said effectively dealing with domestic violence and sexual abuse requires a collaborative effort and he called on the population to stop protecting perpetrators of abuse. “People criticise the police for not doing enough but what can the police do when the persons with responsibility for protecting children are covering up for those who are committing these crimes against our young people.”
Dr. Mitchell further stated, “I think the new unit and the hotline will go a long way in addressing the issue and we have to continue to do whatever we can and to invest more. We also need the private sector involved, everyone has a stake in this. Our society would not make the progress it ought to make, if we are not collectively confronting this problem.”
Dr. Mitchell also underscored the need for proper training for persons dealing with matters of domestic violence and sexual abuse, noting that persons must be sensitive when dealing with such cases.
Minister Thomas in her remarks, said the launch of the unit will bring police response to domestic violence and sexual to the next level and make it easier for victims to access protection and support services.
She warned offenders that it will not be business as usual. She said, “this unit will also hold offenders accountable because valid evidence of each reported case will be collected, compiled and presented to the court.”
Minister Thomas also noted that the unit is part of a larger national effort which fits within the National Strategic Action Plan to Reduce Gender-Based Violence and the National Gender Equity Policy and Action Plan.
She said, “In the past few years, with the support in international partners and local corporate citizens, we reformed laws and policies; undertook studies; developed action plans; trained staff of key entities and partners; purchased equipment; and carried out consistent public sensitisation campaigns. This has awakened our attention as a people to make the reports and seek more and better services to address these forms of violence that had been hidden for far too long.”
Acting Police Commissioner, Edvin Martin said sexual and violent crimes pose a significant threat to society and the prevalence of these crimes has been increasing. He revealed that 259 sexual related crimes were reported between January and July 2018, 13% more than the same period in 2017
Mr. Martin said, “Whether the statistics are a consequence of an actual increase, or the result of greater reporting, what is certain is that those crimes are unacceptably high and a direct affront to the social and moral order of society and must be stopped.”
He noted too that, “In most cases, the accused is well known to the victims; they are either family, associated by friendship or personal friendships. The violations are a clear manifestation of a lack of control by perpetrators, a lack of respect for women and an abuse of the male to female authority and power balance.”
Wednesday’s ceremony included the unveiling of a Sexual Abuse Hotline, the number for which is 400. The infrastructure for the hotline which will be activated on September 24, is facilitated by FLOW. The number 400, symbolises the stand for zero tolerance of sexual abuse. The concept is the brainchild of Hexive Creative Agency Limited.
