More protection proposed for victims of domestic abuse

THE proposed overhaul of Jamaica’s domestic violence laws could give victims clearer rights to police assistance, including help to safely retrieve personal belongings from the homes of alleged abusers.

The issue was raised last Thursday by Member of Parliament for St James West Central Marlene Malahoo Forte as the joint select committee reviewing the Domestic Violence Act, considered a submission from the emerging political movement Left Alliance for National Democracy and Socialism (Jamaica LANDS).

In its submission, Jamaica LANDS proposed that the legislation should establish a statutory right for victims to request assistance from a member of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) in several circumstances, including being accompanied to the residence of an alleged perpetrator to retrieve personal property.