National Gender Policy National Domestic Violence Protocol Domestic Violence Act Sensitization Partnership for Peace After Support Program

The National Gender Policy will move the Virgin Islands towards a gender just society. 32 Policy recommendations have been made in 7 main sectors. The policy aims to achieve both gender equity and equality in society through the following interventions.

1. Legislation- (5 policies) 2. Education- (6 policies) 3. Family Life, Sexual Relations and Gender Based Violence- (5 policies) 4. Economic Activity and Labor Activities- (7 policies)

Health and Medicine-(4 Policies) Gender Ideologies: Religion, Media and Culture- (3 Policies) Gender, Political Participation and Political Decision Making- (2 Policies)

Policy 1- Legal Literacy Programs Policy 2-Drafting of Sexual Offences Bill Policy 3- Child Support and Maintenance of the Family Policy 4- Legal Aid Policy 5- Inheritance Rights

Policy 6-Data Collection in Education Policy 7-Comprehensive reviews of gender, education and development Policy 8-Equity for male and female teachers Policy 9- Technical and vocational education Policy 10- Sex Education in Schools Policy 11- Teenage Pregnancy and education

Policy 12- Research and Collection of sex disaggregated data Policy 13- Domestic Violence Legislation Policy 14- Mainstreaming gender in services Policy 15- Protection for victims of domestic violence Policy 16- Community education

Policy 17- Data Collection Policy 18- Effective Implementation and enforcement of the Labor Code Policy 19- Undertake public awareness initiatives Policy 20- Paternity leave Policy 21- After school care facilities for children

Policy 22- Sexual harassment in the Labor Code Policy 23- Investigation and enforcement of laws on trafficking

Policy 24- Health services for men and women Policy 25 -Health information, services and training for health workers Policy 26- Labor Laws as they pertain to persons infected and affected by HIV/AIDS require adherence to ILO provisioning for HIV/AIDS in the workplace. Policy 27- Mental Health integrates into the Primary Health care system.

Policy 28- Full use of media technologies Policy 29- Partnership of the Church Policy 30- Civic Society support

Policy 31- Equality in political decision making at all levels Policy 32- Evaluation of progress

The specific objectives of the protocol are: 1. To create awareness amongst stakeholders of the importance of adopting a more integrated and systematic response to domestic violence. 2. To serve as a guide for stakeholders in the prevention, reporting and management of domestic violence

3. To support a coordinated response to domestic violence that would better facilitate data collection on the nature and extent of domestic violence. To enhance the systemic responses to domestic violence so as to ensure more effective service delivery to victims of domestic violence.

1. Medical Services 2. Law Enforcement 3. Social Services 4. Legal Services The protocol address both the internal processes and procedures of each of these areas of service delivery, as well as the working relationship between agencies.

1. Persons have the right to live a life free from abuse. 2. Domestic Violence is a serious social problem with short and long term implications to victims, their families and society as a whole. 3. Domestic Violence should be treated seriously and in immediate response to incidents of abuse should be provided.

4. Effective responses for victims of domestic violence require cooperation and coordination amongst service providers. 5. Treatment and support resources for victims, their families and offenders are components of an effective multidisciplinary response to domestic violence.

Signatures for the Statement of Co-operation are : Commissioner of Police Minister of Health and Social Development Director of Public Prosecutions

The Domestic Violence Act 2011 was assented to by His Excellency the Governor on October 3, The public is now being sensitized on the Act by a multidisciplinary team with the Office of Gender Affairs taking the lead. Team members represent, Police, Social Development, Bar Association and Family Support Network.

PfP was introduced to the BVI in 2009 to address the rise in domestic violence cases reported by the police. The PfP was established under the guidance and financial support of UN Women. The first cycle of the PfP started on February 3, 2010 and ended on May 19, PfP is currently on its 6 th cycle.

A 16 week violence prevention, psycho- educational program for men. The program is court-connected and receives most of its referrals from both the criminal and civil jurisdiction of the court. In some cases men have entered the program by self referrals.

To help participants stop violence in their lives To encourage participants to examine where their violent behavior originated To help participants accept responsibility for their behavior and to choose alternatives to violence To teach participants skills for addressing conflict and responding to stress

To promote self-efficiency among participants in taking steps towards improving their relationships and their lives by creating a supportive atmosphere. To create a network of men who will advocate for non-violent relationships.

Class 1-Orientation Class2-Understanding and Managing Feelings-Part 1 Class 3- Understanding and Managing Feelings-Part 2 Class 4- Effective Communication Class 5-Conflict Resolution Class 6- Family History

Class 7- Manhood Class 8- Womanhood Class 9- Power and Control in Relationships Class 10- Sexuality, STIs abd HIV Prevention Class 11- Fatherhood and the Effects of Violence on Children Class 12- Stress Management and Trauma Recovery

Class 13 – Substance Abuse Prevention Class 14- Domestic Violence and the Law Class 15- Spirituality Class 16- Relapse Prevention and Personal Development

To date, 32 men have completed the program with 6 men in the 6 th cycle. Thus far no participant who completed the program has appeared before the court on similar charges.

Was created to support a group of men which fosters deeper exploration of healthy relationships and facilitates their commitment to achieving a violence free life. UN Women designed the program and assisted with the implementation process.

1. To continue to maintain violent free behavior to women 2. Using the increased competencies developed through PfP to continue improving personal relationships and decreasing violent behavior in other aspects of life. 3. Reflect and explore increased self awareness through examining issues that influence choice and potentially compromise a violence free life.

4. Develop relationships within the group and create an atmosphere which supports healthy relationships and non violent behavior 5. To be advocates for non violent relationships.

The group is guided by the issues the men view as important to their developmental process or to their social interactions. The facilitators will guide them through the dialogues by reiterating key discussions in PfP and pulling out major themes. The program is expanded over a 9 month period.

One-to-one support is provided to participants of the program by the clinical supervisor. These sessions are provided one day a week for approximately 3 hours.