Domestic Violence book for cops

POLICE OFFICERS will soon be better able to handle domestic violence situations with the help of a special manual. This was disclosed by Social Services Delivery Minister, Christine Kangaloo, during debate on the Family Proceedings and Mediation Acts in the Senate yesterday. Responding to questions from Senate Minority Leader Wade Mark about why domestic violence cases were not being addressed by the Family Court pilot project, Kangaloo explained that the project would not have criminal jurisdiction in its early stages. The Minister then revealed that a special manual was now “being formulated” to help police officers to better evaluate and deal with domestic violence situations. She also expressed shock at Mark’s insistence that Government look at root causes of social issues and “tackle poverty.” Kangaloo reminded the Senate that everytime Government speaks about its social policy, that policy is always scorned by the UNC.

The Minister also said Government will not be rushed into the establishment of a Children’s Authority (CA) because it was not the PNM’s habit “to rush legisation” like its immediate predecessor. “We are doing it with the requisite care,” she assured the Upper House. Kangaloo said contrary to UNC descriptions of the CA’s legislation being “revolutionary,” that legislation is yet to be proclaimed because it was badly drafted but Government is working assiduously to address the situation. She advised senators not to see the CA as the ultimate solution to all problems affecting the nation’s children because the Authority can only act “when something happens.” Kangaloo criticised Mark for questioning the qualifications of social workers but Mark countered that his questions were centred on the issue of accountability. Explaining the intended functions of the Family Court, Kangaloo said the court was something that was long in coming, “would reduce the delay to the public in the resolution of family disputes, be user-friendly and provide easier access to justice.”