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Domestic violence inGuyana is widespread and crosses racial andsocioeconomic lines. The law prohibits domestic violence, gives women the right to seek prompt protection, and allows victims to seek protection, occupation, ortenancy orders from amagistrate. Penalties for violation ofprotection orders include fines up toUS$54 (G$10,000) and 12 months'imprisonment; however, this legislation frequently is not enforced.[1]
The government uses laws and policies against domestic violence with some measure of success; the problems lie with the failure of those responsible for implementation. Magistrates and magistrate court staff are often insensitive to the problem ofdomestic violence and to their roles in ensuring implementation of the law. In addition, not allpolice officers fully understand provisions of the law.[1]
NGOs report a widespread perception that some police officers and magistrates could bebribed to make cases of domestic violence "go away." The government also does notprosecute cases in which the alleged victim or victim's family agreed to drop the case in exchange for a monetary paymentout of court. NGOs assert the need for a specialized Family Court.[1]
Domestic violence is a problem in allregions of the country. Enforcement of the domestic violence laws is especially weak in the interior, where police do not have as strong a presence and courts meet only once a quarter.[1]
Between January and September 2006, Help and Shelter handled 414 abuse cases, includingchild, spousal, nonspousal, and other domestic abuse; 297 of the cases involved spousal abuse directed against women. Help and Shelter, which received private donor and some government funding, ran a free shelter for victims of domestic violence and operated ahotline to counsel victims.[1]
NGOs runpublic service announcements and train police officers, teachers, nurses, agricultural workers, religious groups, andhealth clinics to sensitize them to domestic violence. Domestic violence training is part of the curriculum of the Police Training College. There is a Task Force on Violence against Women whose membership includes representatives from NGOs, law enforcement, the health community, and youth. The Task Force has gathered data in preparation for drafting a national policy on domestic violence.[1]