Police have responded to 1,517 incidents of domestic violence so far this year, the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service stated as its lent its support to the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign.
These figures, with just three weeks left in 2021, are a decrease on last year’s reported incidents, when police investigated 2,288 cases of domestic violence, in which 71% involved female victims.
Noting that there had been a reduction of 408 cases this year compared to 2020, Inspector Dausea Scott, head of the RCIPS Family Support Unit, said in a statement that police hoped “to see a continued reduction in the numbers next year and beyond”.
She added, “While gender-based violence is a global concern, we at the RCIPS remain committed to working with our partner agencies to do all we can to reduce the number of persons that become victims of such violence, and to reduce the recurrence of such acts of violence.”
The 16-day anti-violence campaign ends today, 10 Dec., but the RICPS is calling on the community to continue to make efforts to end domestic violence.
“While this initiative takes place annually, can we please as individuals and as a community, collectively take the initiative all year long to end gender violence generally, and in particular violence against women,” said Nancy Barnard, deputy chief officer in the Office of the Commissioner of Police, in the statement.
The RCIPS said there is “zero lenience” towards perpetrators of violence.
As part of its efforts to help protect victims of domestic abuse, this year the police’s Family Support Unit began securing protection orders through the courts for the first time.
Police say they are also continuing to work closely with partner agencies such as the Department of Children and Family Services, and as part of groups such as the Alliance to End Domestic Violence and the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH), to spread awareness about gender-based violence, and to enhance and streamline the processes of the agencies who are responsible for assisting victims.
The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence initiative ran from 25 Nov., the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, to 10 Dec., which is Human Rights Day, and is supported by organisations worldwide, including the United Nations.
Commissioner of Police Derek Byrne said, “We are pleased to join global alliances and communities who are raising awareness and continuing to fight against gender-based violence, not just during these 16 days, but all year-round. We look forward to a time when initiatives like this one are no longer a necessity.”
In the statement, the RCIPS encouraged anyone, of any gender, who may be a victim of gender-based violence, to make a report to police or to any partner agency (see the list of partner agencies and their contact information below).
“If you are not comfortable making an official report, these partner agencies also offer various forms of support. We also encourage those who may know or suspect that someone else is experiencing such violence, to offer support in any way possible, which may also include reporting your suspicions through official channels,” the RCIPS statement said.
Key Numbers:
911 – Emergency Services (Or your local police station)
943-2422 – Cayman Islands Crisis Centre 24-hour crisis line
649-5437 – Kids Helpline
949-1693 – Department of Community Rehabilitation
949-0006 – Family Resource Centre
949-8789 – The Counselling Centre
945-8869 – Legal Befrienders Clinic. (Only available by phone Tuesdays and Thursdays 5:30-6:30pm)
949-0545 – Multi-agency Safe-guarding Hub (MASH)
946-0024 – Needs Assessment Unit
1-800-534-6463 – Mental Health Helpline
Estella’s Place (run by the Cayman Islands Crisis Centre) is also available for walk-in appointments. Call 949-0366 to make an appointment, or contact Carol-Anne Fordyce at 623-4825 or [email protected].
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