Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1697800558066.pdf (Dominica)
Email: genderaffairs@dominica.gov.dm ARE SUPPORT SYSTEMS EFFICIENT?

HAVE SUPPORT SYSTEMS HELPED?

Most persons were aware of available help.

Very few as little as 18 out of 88 abused men sought help while 80% of women sought help from formal institutions.

Some persons who sought help felt satisfied while others did not think they were sufficiently helped.

Many cases are not pursued at court or followed up.

It was generally felt that law enforcers are not sufficiently sensitive to the issue.
WHAT DOES THIS IMPLY TO US AS DOMINICANS?
Everybody needs to play a role in eradicating this plague which can destroy the basic fabric of society through: Continued education/training and gender sensitisation Improved gender relations at home, school and workplace Gender Mainstreaming Economic empowerment of women Male outreach programmes Church to play a greater role Forge Partnerships Gender in the school curriculum, parenting and life skills Mechanisms to enforce legislation Improved support services Prepared August 2002 by the The Bureau of Gender Affairs, The Globe Building 106 Independence Street, Roseau, Commonwealth of Dominica Telephone: (767) 448-2401 ext.
3344 or 3023 Fax: (767) 4487855 IS DOMESTIC A GROWING CAUSE FOR CONCERN IN DOMINICA?

VIOLENCE Here’s the picture as indicated by 770 persons 362 men and 408 women from seven health districts in Dominica, through a Field Survey on “Family Relations” undertaken by the Women’s Bureau.

PIE CHART SHOWING RESPONSE TO EXPERIENCE OF ABUSE IN RELATIONSHIP, AS REVEALED 1.
3% 20% 32% 45% Reported Abuse No Abuse Not applicable No Reseponse Domestic violence is widespread it occurs in all districts in Dominica with all but one district showing a percentage range of 20 to 46% of respondents who revealed abuse, at some point in time at home or in a relationship.

All forms of abuse were reported verbal, psychological/emotional, physical and sexual.

Verbal abuse was most prevalent and more frequently suffered by men.

Women suffered more physical abuse.

2.


11.4 % men and 20.4% women in a interviewed relationship.

current or previous revealed abuse Therefore 31% responded that they had experienced some form of abuse in previous or current relationship.

and 21% women 20% men interviewed recalled their mother being abused especially by her partner and 11% both men and women recalled their father being abused.
RECALL OF MOTHER BEING ABUSED BY RESPONDENTS 57% 20% 21% 2% Females Males Don't know No Abuse RECALL OF ABUSED BY RESPONDENTS FATHER BEING 11% 15% Able to recall No knowledge Could not recall 74% The trend seems to continue since approximately 53% of 278 younger person of the sample (18-34 yrs) stated their partner was sometimes abusive (31% female 21.6% males).

that relationships.

However a higher socio- the percentage of economic status reported abuse.
lower More than 75% of respondents both men and women youth as well as adults are of the opinion that a woman’s sometimes behaviour warrants a beating.

More than 90% of abuse is excusable, when provoked.

A large proportion (more than 50%) of the families of respondents were evaluated as either lacking/poor in terms of family relations; that is _______ qualities for healthy family relations.
MAJOR REASONS SUGGESTED OR INDICATED FOR ABUSIVE BEHAVIOUR INCLUDED: Substance abuse relationship which was Outside mainly revealed by women as the core of the problem Economic women dependence especially Poor communication Growing up in abusive home Lack of roles and responsibilities of different Persons religious denominations and socio economic abusive background revealed