GENEVA – UNAIDS has welcomed Jamaica’s expansion of protections against gender-based violence as the country’s Domestic Violence (Amendment) Act came into effect on Monday.
“UNAIDS welcomes the commitments made by Jamaica to expand protections to tackle gender-based violence. Determined action is essential across the Caribbean and Latin America, and across the world, to break the vicious cycle of violence, abuse and inequality. Survivors must be heard, and justice must be done,” said UNAIDS Executive Director, Winnie Byanyima
“To protect women and girls’ health, it is essential to protect women and girls’ human rights,” Byanyima added.
Government said the Domestic Violence (Amendment) Act, 2023 will provide greater protection to victims of domestic violence.
“This government, and indeed the whole House, has demonstrated its commitment to preventing and punishing acts of domestic violence through the passage of these important amendments which will, among other things, allow the Court to issue Protection Orders and impose a penalty of up to one million dollars (One Jamaica dollar=US$0.008 cents) for a breach of a Protection Order, up from a maximum of J$10,000,” said Gender Affairs Minister Olivia Grange.
She said that the amendment also allows for a sentence of up to one year in prison and that the Protection Orders are intended to guard against an array of potential harm, from harassment to property damage, and “it is right with the passage of time that we now apply a more appropriate penalty that will serve as a deterrent to this very serious crime”.
“Alongside the new legal changes, the Government of Jamaica has also committed to continuing to implement other policies to support survivors including a gender-based violence helpline, legal support, shelters, intervention centres at police stations, and special training for members of the police force and other service provider”.
UNAIDS Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, Luisa Cabal, applauded the political commitment of the Jamaica government and parliament, highlighting the importance of addressing the challenges in enforcement as well as policies.
Cabal noted the critical role of the courts, police, other law enforcement personnel and civil society partners in tackling gender-based violence in all its forms for all women and girls in all their diversity.
The government said the new law will also increase the categories of persons who can make an application for a Protection Order, including the spouse or parent of an individual in respect of whom the conduct has been made or is likely to be made.
The Children’s Advocate will also now be able to apply for a Protection Order where the alleged conduct is threatened against a child.
