Barbadians should soon have a better account of the degree of domestic violence on the society.

This disclosure has come from Acting Director of the Bureau of Gender Affairs, John Hollingsworth, who said that CADRES, the regional research body, would be undertaking a survey shortly on the prevalence and demographic characteristics of domestic violence.

“The findings are expected to be revealed on November 25, which is the Day for the Elimination of Gender-based Violence and the start of the 16-day campaign against gender-based violence,” Mr. Hollingsworth stated.

He, however, promised that even before the Bureau received the results, it would continue to work with its strategic partners to institute programmes and awareness campaigns to eradicate the scourge.

According to him, the study would complement the recently developed data collection protocol on domestic violence, and the information would be used to inform government policy in an effort to eliminate violent behaviour.

The true incidence of domestic violence in Barbados is unknown, since it is a crime that is seldom reported. It is felt that this island’s current data collection systems “are inadequate due to under-reporting, under-documentation, administrative incapacity, and a lack of appreciation for the use of statistics in the policy formulation and monitoring cycle.”

Domestic violence, which “violates the fundamental human rights” of individuals, continues to be a serious problem worldwide. Its various forms include physical violence, sexual and emotional abuse, intimidation, economic deprivation and threats of violence.

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