Kiwanis tackles domestic violence

SPANISH TOWN,

St. Catherine:

CONCERNED AT the incidence of violence against women, several social and community-based organisations are trying to increase public awareness of the problem in order to stem it.

The Kiwanis Club of South St. Catherine, as part of this effort, held a one-day workshop for the leaders of several social clubs in Portmore Saturday, focusing on domestic disputes and violence.

Held at the Greater Portmore Police Station, presenters included members of the police force.

Constable Sheryle Jenkins and Corporal Andrea Clarke-Lennot urged the community leaders to give assistance to women who are victims of domestic violence.

Constable Jenkins said there is a sharp increase in domestic violence against women in the Portmore community, but most of the abuse goes unreported.

"We need more community leaders to be trained in dispute resolution and how to assist persons who are affected by domestic violence as most of the abused are not aware of what is happening to them," she told the workshop.

Programme co-ordinator and treasurer designate of the Kiwanis Club, Althea Powell, called on the church, the police and the media to use their influential voices to assist in reducing violence against women through information and education.

And popular theatre animator of Sistren Theatre Collectives, Afolashade, urged community-based organisations to get training in dispute resolution.

Kiwanis president Margeri Riley said her club hopes to conduct more of these workshops in the Portmore community.

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