Calls are mounting for Jamaica to make public education on domestic violence a legal requirement, with some legislators arguing that awareness campaigns must be mandated by law rather than left to Government policy. This step, they argue, will send a signal that the country is serious about reducing gender-based violence.

The proposal emerged on Thursday as Parliament’s joint select committee reviewing the Domestic Violence Act debated recommendations that would require public education, school-based interventions and data collection to be written into the legislation rather than remain matters of Government policy.

While all members of the committee supported the need for more public education to combat gender-based violence, they were divided over whether those efforts should be mandated by law.