Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn has shed light on some the underlying causes of domestic violence during a significant event where more than 1,000 members of the Guyana Police Force graduated from the Ministry of Human Services and Social Protection’s Gender-Based Violence training programme known as ‘COPSQUAD’.
In his address at the graduation ceremony held at the National Cultural Centre on Friday last, Minister Benn emphasized that domestic violence stems from men’s struggles with controlling their emotions, which often leads to abusive behaviour.
Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, also acknowledged the challenges faced by women in relation to domestic violence and expressed her firm belief in bringing control to the escalating situation. She highlighted the carefully constructed training program that enables police officers to respond effectively to domestic violence reports and creates a more supportive environment for victims seeking assistance.
This collaborative effort between the Ministry of Human Services and Social Protection and the United Nations Population Fund aimed to equip police officers stationed across the country with the necessary tools to address gender-based violence and domestic violence cases effectively.
The training programme, essential for the ranks as noted by Acting Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken, focuses on building capacity and developing human resources within the Guyana Police Force. With domestic violence being a prominent and pressing issue, this specialized training plays a vital role in transforming the force into a service-oriented organization, the Top Cop stressed.
The graduation ceremony witnessed the presence of esteemed personalities, including UN Resident Coordinator, Yesim Oruc, EU Deputy Ambassador, Evelina Melbarzde, Deputy Commissioner ‘Administration’, Calvin Brutus, Senior Superintendent Ewart Wray, and Regional Division Commanders Mahendra Singh and Simon McBean.
