Police Superintendent, Shellon Daniels is urging victims of domestic violence who obtain protection orders against their abusers to immediately inform law enforcement about any breach of the order.

She said the earlier the Police is informed about the breach, actions could be taken to bring the perpetrator to justice and avoid further abuse.

Speaking during the Police and You programme, the Police Superintendent said the protection order should not just be viewed as a piece of paper, but it carries serious legal authority to keep abusers away from their victims.

“It is a paper that is signed by a Judge or a magistrate with full authority to give the police the right to even right to enter the premises where the perpetrator might have forced him/herself upon while this order is in force and take evasive action to have this matter dealt with,” Ms. Daniels said.

She noted that while some victims might be skeptical about the order and its effectiveness, the Police must be contacted swiftly when there is breach, since the officers are mandated to take action and respond promptly whenever a protections order is breached.

However, she noted that if a victim feels that they are not getting justice from the Police within their district, that victim has a right to escalate the matter, so that it be treated with the seriousness it deserves.

As it relates to compensation for domestic violence victims, Ms. Daniels said victims, can seek redress and compensation in the Courts for damages in line with the amendments of the Criminal Law Act which was passed last year. These avenues she said must be fully utilized to discourage domestic violence.

“There are also additional rights that is afforded to the victim, the court can award compensation where necessary both civil and other the criminal law Act there are remedies where they can be compensated or the families can seek redress for any suffering they think they would have suffered  by the perpetrator and claim for damages in the High Court in a Civil claim” Ms. Daniels said.

Guyana continues to record a high rate of domestic violence incidents.

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