NCW praises Domestic Violence Bill

The National Council of Women (NCW) yesterday congratulated Family and Social Solidarity Minister Cristina for her continuous efforts to ensure the enactment of the Domestic Violence Bill.

The NCW noted in a statement that many of the recommendations it had submitted over the years have been included in the Bill, providing measures addressing three key issues:

¤ appropriate legal protection for women, children, the elderly and other persons within the household;

¤ active prevention and early intervention of crimes of violence; and

¤ adequate provision of support services.

A wide definition of domestic violence includes emotional, physical and verbal violence and harassment. The use of telephony in such cases also needs to be studied.

The Bill provides for immediate steps to be taken once a report has been filed and proceedings are not to be stopped unless the court decides so, providing stronger security for the victims.

The Bill also makes provisions for adequate accommodation for victims and eviction orders for perpetrators, in particular in situations of hardship for the family.

The Bill makes treatment orders mandatory for a person accused with an offence, with or without his consent, especially in cases where there is enough evidence of repeated acts of violence. Increasing fines and terms of imprisonment will provide more effective deterrents in cases of violence.

The establishment of a Commission on Domestic Violence, provided for in the Bill, was important to ensure that a strategy of a multi-disciplinary approach guaranteed professional intervention from the different sectors. "As Minister Cristina herself pointed out, we need to create a culture which takes collective responsibility for tackling domestic violence," the statement said.