Tackling Domestic Violence Is Key to Building a Peaceful and Safe Jamaica
Prime Minister Andrew Holness has declared that his administration is committed to tackling domestic violence and the culture of aggression that has taken root in Jamaican communities.
Dr. Holness says addressing these issues is crucial to building a peaceful and safe society.
Prime Minister Holness has emphasized that violence is not only a public safety issue but also a deeply rooted social problem that continues to undermine the nation’s quality of life.
“In many communities across Jamaica, particularly in the inner city, many of our women and children are suffering serious abuse. Some of our men are also experiencing serious domestic abuse. Believe it or not, 20% of the cases reported are of men being abused,” the Prime Minister stated.
Importantly, the Prime Minister expressed concern about the culture that discourages men from speaking out about abuse, noting that this long-standing mindset has contributed to a wider societal problem.
“We have a society where we tend to want to say, ‘You’re not tough. You have to tough it out.’ But what that has done for the last 40 years is to embed in us a certain aggression that has deteriorated the quality of life that we experience,” said Dr. Holness.
The Prime Minister further explained that the Government is taking a two-pronged approach: reducing gang- and gun-related murders while also tackling social violence, including intimate partner violence, family disputes, and neighbour conflicts.
Speaking at an event in St. Catherine recently, Dr. Holness cited violent incidents resulting from domestic disputes, highlighting that acts of aggression rob Jamaicans of peace and drive unhealthy coping mechanisms such as substance abuse and deviant behaviour.
To address the root of this issue, the Government has implemented Domestic Violence Intervention Centres (DVICs) in police stations across the island.
These specially equipped units offer private, supportive spaces for individuals to seek help before situations escalate into violence.
“These police officers are specially trained. They’re not coming to kick down your door and fight you. They’re trained to counsel and support you through challenging situations,” Dr. Holness explained.
There are 10 DVICs located across Jamaica, already operational in Constant Spring, Matilda’s Corner, May Pen, Santa Cruz, Portmore, Negril, Gale (St. Mary), St. Thomas, St. Elizabeth, and St. Ann.
Prime Minister Holness also announced that the new St. Catherine North police station under construction will include a state-of-the-art Domestic Violence Intervention Centre, marking another step forward in the Government’s strategy to transform policing and community support.
“If we do not deal with this issue of violence that is entrenched in the society, we will reduce the murders, but you will not be able to live in peace. As murders by gun are reducing, what we are now seeing coming into play are murders by stabbing and domestic murders, as opposed to gang-related murders,” said the Prime Minister.
Prime Minister Holness noted that Jamaica will become safer and more peaceful with the strategies now being implemented.
“That is when you can genuinely sleep with your windows and doors open. That is when you can truly feel happy about your community. That is when you can send your kids to school without worrying that any pedophile or other threat will harm them. And as a woman, you can feel safe and confident in your relationship, knowing the man you’re with won’t abuse you. That’s how we achieve genuine peace in our country, and that’s how we’ll transform Jamaica.”