The Tribune

FREE National Movement Leader Michael Pintard said there must be strategic action to address the “blood” running “in our streets” and homes due to domestic violence.

The government’s lack of comment or decision made on the issue of gender-based violence and sexual crimes is a major concern, he said yesterday, adding that it was the government’s job to develop a plan in response to the issue.

Mr Pintard said: “We do not hold any government responsible for the violent acts carried out by free will young men and young women, older men and older women. What is expected, however, of the government, is to coordinate a plan of action to bring together all stakeholders to work in tandem with each other to do several things.

Mr Pintard called for the government to work together with stakeholders to put in place programmes and initiatives to prevent violent acts.

He posed several questions for consideration.

“How do we put in place preventative programmes? How do we have early intervention in conflicts that are brewing in our community? How do we detect that social conditions are creating a mindset of a kind of heart in our people where they will resort to desperate means to deal with pressing situations? 

“Our role is to speak to young girls and women about the type of mate that they choose, who if a male is abusing a woman while they are dating, the likelihood of him changing when they get married is slim to none. How do we work with other agencies, non-governmental agencies, faith-based agencies and others to get the correct message out to our people?” he asked. 

“None of these conversations seem to be a priority as a part of an overall strategic plan for the government.”

Mr Pintard challenged the government not to put undue burden on the police.

“We are challenging the government not to put undue burden on the police who are responsible, but for a small dimension of the issue of criminality in general, violent crimes in particular.

“We challenge the government to utilise the Ministry of Youth Sports and Culture to put in place programmes that can be transformative and can create education opportunities and career opportunities for young people, create camaraderie in communities, where we go back and put in programmes within our Over-the-Hill communities and family island communities,” Mr Pintard said.

Statistics released by former commissioner of Police Paul Rolle in February said there was a seven percent increase in rape with 48 matters reported in 2021 and 45 the year before. 

There was also an increase in the category of attempted rapes, with six last year and five in 2020, representing an increase of 20.

Unlawful sexual intercourse declined by 23 percent with 125 in 2021 compared with the 163 that were reported in 2020. 

That same month, State Minister for Social Services and Urban Development Lisa Rahming suggested a need for public education on gender-based violence issues, including marital rape, following the spike in sexual assault incidents this year.