Region One residents said improved social services are crucial to stemming domestic violence as police seem ill-prepared to deal with such cases.
In a press release the Ministry of Human Services said more than 300 residents and workers of the Reunion Manganese Company participated in the National Conversation on Domestic Violence on Saturday at Matthew’s Ridge.
During discussions with a team led by Deputy Permanent Secretary Rev Patrick Findlay and Administrator of the Women’s Affairs Bureau Hymawattie Lagan, participants spoke about the adverse effects of domestic violence, positing that it leads to suicide, broken homes and disturbed youths in their communities.
They also cited alcoholism and the lack of communication between partners in the family as contributory factors to domestic abuse.
Residents then called for more staff, training and equipment at the police station as police seem ill-prepared to deal with reports of domestic abuse. They also requested workshops on anger management, family counselling and the various forms of domestic abuse, and regular visits from welfare officers.
Teachers should also be trained to counsel youths and life skills programmes should be held for both genders, they also said. At the close of the session it was agreed that all residents have to be involved in the acceptable socialisation of their children.
The sessions were held at the Matthew’s Ridge Primary School and the Reunion Manganese Company.
