Update to Response to Information Request JAM15541.E of 20 October 1993 [JAM17244.E]

The sources consulted indicate that the situation concerning the protection and redress available to victims of domestic violence, and the attitude of the police and judiciary toward such victims in Jamaica has not changed since Response to Information Request JAM15541.E of 20 October 1993. For additional information that may be useful, please refer to page 487 of Country Reports 1993. This document is available at your Regional Documentation Centre.

A representative of the Women's Crisis Centre (Woman Incorporated) in Kingston, Jamaica provided the following summary of the current situation (2 May 1994). There are shelters for battered women and there is recourse to the services of private lawyers for those who can afford it. The services of the legal aid clinic are available for those who cannot afford the cost of a private lawyer. Concerning the attitudes of the police to such victims, the representative noted that most complaints are not given the attention they deserve. Therefore, most victims of domestic violence report cases only for record purposes and not because they expect the police to act expeditiously, prudently or in accordance with the law. As a result, it is common for most victims of domestic violence to drop charges against their abusers before the cases even get to trial (ibid.).

With regard to the attitude of the judiciary toward victims of domestic violence, the representative stated that the judiciary is generally very cooperative and tends to deal with offenders according to the stipulations of the law (ibid.).

A representative of the Jamaica Legal Aid Clinic in Kingston, Jamaica corroborated the information provided by the representative of the Women's Crisis Centre (2 May 1994). The representative added that the organization tries, as much as possible, not to turn away those seeking legal assistance from the legal aid clinic. Nonetheless, their service is not free, and even at the reduced rates, they may still lower their fees if a person cannot afford it (ibid.). For additional information that may explain the general attitude towards victims of domestic violence, please refer to the attachment.

This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

References

Jamaica Legal Aid Clinic, Kingston, Jamaica. 2 May 1994. Telephone interview with representative.

Women's Crisis Centre (Woman Incorporated), Kingston, Jamaica. 2 May 1994. Telephone interview with representative.

Attachments

Gordon, Laura. 1985. "Silent Crimes Against Jamaican Women," Women of the Caribbean. Edited by Pat Ellis. London: Zed Books Ltd., pp. 80-83.

Kamugisha, Stephanie. 1985. "Violence Against Women," Women of the Caribbean. Edited by Pat Ellis. London: Zed Books Ltd., pp. 74-79.

Shorey-Bryan, Norma. 1985. "The Making of Male-Female Relationships in the Caribbean," Women of the Caribbean. Edited by Pat Ellis. London: Zed Books Ltd., pp. 69-73.