Gender-Based Violence Country Profile SAINT VINCENT Contents INTRODUCTION 3 PREVALENCE OF GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE: PRE- AND POST-COVID 4 SOCIAL NORMS WHICH DRIVE GBV 6 POLICY AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK 8 GBV RESPONSE MECHANISMS AND SERVICES 12 APPENDIX 1 – AVAILABLE SERVICES 16 APPENDIX 2 – UN WOMEN: MEASURES AGAINST VIOLENCE AGAINST 18 WOMEN (SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES) GLOSSARY 19 REFERENCES 20 World Bank GBV Country Profile: SAINT VINCENT Page 3 INTRODUCTION St. Vincent and the Grenadines comprises a main Historically, much of the economic activity was island, Saint Vincent, and thirty-two other islands, concentrated on agriculture, particularly banana islets and cays in the archipelago of the Grenadines cultivation and export to the United Kingdom (SVG). Only seven of the Grenadine islands are (UK) and Europe. However, with changes in the UK’s inhabited- Bequia, Mustique, Canouan, Mayreau, international trade policies which provided preferential Union Island, Palm Island and Petit St. Vincent. Saint treatment to former colonies, SVG’s current significant Vincent is the administrative and commercial center of economic contributors are bananas, tourism and this archipelagic island nation, and approximately 90 financial services.2 per cent of the country’s population of 100,8041, reside there. In April 2021, the explosive eruption of the La Soufrière volcano in the north of Saint Vincent It is a unicameral democracy, with fifteen seats for destroyed much of Saint Vincent’s most productive elected members in the House of Representatives. agricultural lands. This affected negatively SVG as The House also has six appointed Senators, four unlike most of its tourism-dependent neighbors, the appointed by the governing party and two by the Vincentian economy is primarily agricultural.3 Opposition. All members serve for a term of five years. The Prime Minister is the Head of Government, and a Governor General is the representative of the British monarch, who is the Head of State. 1 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines - The World Factbook. (n.d.). https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/saint-vincent-and-the-grenadines/summaries 2 Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), “Country Strategy Paper, 2007-10: St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” Country Analysis and Policy Unit, Economic Depart- ment, October 2007. 3 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines - The World Factbook. (n.d.). https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/saint-vincent-and-the-grenadines/#introduc- tion World Bank GBV Country Profile: SAINT VINCENT Page 4 PREVALENCE OF GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE: PRE- AND POST-COVID UN Women Prevalence Data on Different Forms of states that the labour force participation rate (age Violence against Women4: 15 and older) was of 52.9% female and 74,1% male by 2021.7 — Lifetime Physical and/or Sexual Intimate Partner Violence: Official National Statistics Not Available But even when women are employed, they are — Physical and/or Sexual Intimate Partner Violence confined to a limited range of opportunities available in the last 12 months: Official National Statistics because of occupational sex segregation; women Not Available concentrated in the lower end of the job market, characterized by insecure employment and low wages. — Lifetime Non-Partner Sexual Violence: Official Unfortunately, workers in vulnerable employment, National Statistics Not Available such as these, are less likely to have formal work arrangements, social protection, and safety nets to In last five years economy has been characterized cushion them against economic shocks. As a result, by low GDP growth and low inflation.5 However, the they are more likely to fall into poverty. According to COVID-19 pandemic has had negative impacts on statistics for 2019, 18% of women and 23.4% of men St. Vincent and the Grenadines although the overall in St. Vincent and the Grenadines are in vulnerable economic decline was relatively moderate at 2.7%6. employment. Strikingly, this percentage has remained As a result, regarding unemployment, the national almost unchanged since 1991 in the case of women.8 estimates for Saint Vincent and the Grenadines state that 18.6% women remained unemployed by 2021, Women are protected in the labour force by the while 22.6% men remained unemployed by the same Protection of Employment Act, (2003) Cap 212: The year; the United Nations Development Programme 4 UN Women Global Database on Violence Against Women. (n.d.). Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. https://evaw-global-database.unwomen.org/en/countries/ americas/saint-vincent-and-the-grenadines 5 In the five years 2105-2019, GDP growth fell marginally from 1.3 per cent to 1.0per cent, with a high of 2.2 per cent in 2018. Inflation increased from -1.7% in 2015 to 0.9% in 2019. See Caribbean Development Bank (2020). Country Economic Review, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, 2019. https://www.caribank. org/publications-and-resources/resource-library/economic-reviews/country-economic-review-2019-st-vincent-and-grenadines 6 Country Economic Review 2020 - St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Caribbean Development Bank. (2020). https://www.caribank.org/publications-and-resour- ces/resource-library/economic-reviews/country-economic-review-2020-st-vincent-and-grenadines 7 United Nations. Specific country data. Human Development Reports. https://hdr.undp.org/data-center/specific-country-data 8 St. Vincent and the Grenadines. (n.d.). World Bank Gender Data Portal. https://genderdata.worldbank.org/countries/st-vincent-and-the-grenadines World Bank GBV Country Profile: SAINT VINCENT Page 5 Act specifically prohibits the employer from terminating 15,131 individuals in private residence and rented the services of an employee on various grounds accommodations.13 including sex, marital status, pregnancy, reasonable absence from work due to family emergencies or In this context women and girls were responsibilities, or absence of work during maternity disproportionately affected, and at risk to suffer leave as certified by a medical practitioner.9 Women from Gender-Based Violence as the national enjoy the same legal rights to family, nationality, and systems including health justice and social sectors inheritance as men. were weakened.14 There is insufficient data available regarding gender based violence cases within this However, women’s economic vulnerability is context but there is information on NGO’s responses compounded by the fact that the poorest women such as UNFPA and UN Women directed to the had the largest size households (5.1) compared to a affected women and girls such as improved access national household size of 3.0. This is consistent with to sex differentiated toilets and the distribution of the fact that 60.2% of women in the poorest quintile hygiene kits. Finally, this situation revealed the urge had their first child in their teens, compared to 30.1% to integrate gender considerations within policies and of women in the highest quintile.10 The World Bank programmes. estimates that the fertility rate for women in SVG is 1.8 children per woman in 202011, accordingly the World Saint Vincent and the Grenadines does not produce Bank states that the adolescent birth rate is 48 births timely and reasonably accurate data on GBV. The over 1000 women aged 15 – 19.12 administrative data which exists in the police records and the records of the health and court systems are Amidst the COVID 19 crisis and the dengue not routinely compiled, and are not collected by one outbreak, on April 2021, the La Soufrière Volcano central mechanism. Furthermore, the absence of any erupted resulting in pyroclastic flows, ashfalls, and prevalence data on GBV makes it difficult to accurately the displacement of SVG citizens. By May 28, 2021, assess the level of GBV in the island. there were approximately 18,761 individuals displaced, with 3,630 individuals housed in public shelters and When compared to other Eastern Caribbean states, 9 (Section 16 (d, e, and f). Ministry of National Mobilisation, Social Development , the Family, Gender and Youth Affairs (2014). St. Vincent and the Grenadines National Review of the 10 Beijing Platform for Action + 20 . 11 https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.DYN.TFRT.IN?locations=VC 12 United Nations. Specific country data. Human Development Reports. https://hdr.undp.org/data-center/specific-country-data 13 United Nations Development Programme. (2021). Confronting Gender Disparities and Multiple Hazard Events: A Caribbean Reality EnGenDER Newsletter August 2021. Ministry of Finance Economic Planning and Information Technology. http://mobilization.gov.vc/mobilization/images/PDF/EnGenDER_Newslet- ter_Final_Publication_August_2021.pdf 14 St. Vincent and the Grenadines Gender-Based Violence Safety Audit Report: La Soufrière Volcano, 2021 World Bank GBV Country Profile: SAINT VINCENT Page 6 SVG records the highest number of acts of gender- of domestic violence and 25 reported cases of sexual based violence against women. In the period 2015–15 violence.17 2018, there were 707 reported cases of domestic violence, of which 66 per cent (466) were reported by As for most recent data regarding GBV, the Gender women.16 The majority of cases were physical assault Equality Observatory for Latin America and the (77%), 9.76% were sexual offences, 0.14% were of verbal/ Caribbean states that in 2020 the Women’s deaths at emotional abuse, and the remaining 13.1% were recorded the hands of their intimate partner or former partner under the category “others”, which includes damage rate per 100, 000 women was 5.9.18 This dearth of data to property, common assault, criminal trespass and has been identified as one of the major challenges to criminal assault. Additionally, recent data from the the State’s response to GBV in Saint Vincent and the Statistical Office of the Ministry of Finance Economic Grenadines. The absence of data makes it difficult to Planning and Information Technology of SVG states create evidence-based policies and programmes based that over the year 2020 there were 108 reported cases on trends in levels and types of GBV.19 SOCIAL NORMS WHICH DRIVE GBV Traditional roles for men and women are still widely own report on progress towards the implementation accepted in SVG society. Like other countries in the of international commitments on achieving gender region, the pervasiveness of patriarchal attitudes to equality notes that the education system, has yet women are deeply embedded in the SVG.20 This alignment to address in any serious way, the issues of gender with patriarchy is seen not only in interpersonal including the messages and information which are relationships, but also at the institutional level; in “purveyed in the curriculum which systematize and the education and legal system. The government’s institutionalize gender inequality21. 15 Vassell, L. (2015). Country Gender Assessment Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Caribbean Development Bank. Barbados. 16 This data is taken from Human Rights Committee 125th session 4–29 March 2019 : Replies of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to the list of issues. https:// tbinternet.ohchr.org/_layouts/15/treatybodyexternal/Download.aspx?symbolno=CCPR%2fC%2fVCT%2fQ%2f2%2fAdd.1&Lang=en 17 This is preliminary data. For further information see: Reported Crimes by Type of Crime, 2011 to 2020. (2022, January 18). Statistical Office, Government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. https://stats.gov.vc/subjects/crime-and-justice/reported-crimes-by-type-of-crime-2011-to-2020/ 18 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines - Country profile. (n.d.). Gender Equality Observatory. https://oig.cepal.org/en/countries/79/profile DeShong, H (2014). Saint Vincent and the Grenadines: National Gender Based Violence Action Plan 2015-2019. Gender Affairs Division, Ministry of National 19 Mobilisation, Social Development, Family, Gender Affairs, Persons with Disabilities and Youth. 20 Ministry of National Mobilisation, Social Development , the Family, Gender and Youth Affairs (2014). St. Vincent and the Grenadines National Review of the Beijing Platform for Action + 20 . 21 ibid World Bank GBV Country Profile: SAINT VINCENT Page 7 Women’s social and economic position also intersect seeking asylum in Canada indicate that ‘when female to determine how they experience and are able to victims submit a complaint, they are served by gross, respond to violence. Poverty affects women’s capacity disrespectful, chauvinistic, young male officers who to leave an abusive relationship, and often determines feel that the victim asked for what she received.” the range of coping and support mechanisms to which There are also reports of women being forced to give women have access. Class also affects how women’s their report in open areas, and police officers being report of GBV are received and addressed by the police, reluctant to follow up on DV cases.24 Many women justice, and health systems.22 Even though police drop their complaints because they feel intimidated officers may arrest the person suspected of breaching by the abuser, the procedure, and the community.25 A the order without a warrant, they rarely use such key recommendation coming out of a baseline study powers to enforce orders. This helps to create a climate conducted in SVG to examine the reasons for low of impunity, and bolsters the perception that issues conviction rates for sexual assault in SVG, was the need of domestic violence (DV) are not viewed as seriously for increased police training, which should be ongoing as other crimes by the police. This perception is also and systematic.26 It appears however, that progress reinforced by the paucity of training received by the has been made in this area; other, more recent reports police force in how to support women who report abuse, indicate that police officers are generally responsive, leading to reports of discriminatory and insensitive and well trained to handle reports of DV.27 handling of such cases. This is particularly true if the women had previously made reports but failed to Recenlty, SVG has implemented a facility shelter follow through with the charges. This results in women for women who are leaving abusive relationships, being ‘afraid, reluctant, disempowered, confused and nevertheless, this single facility is not enough as stated generally not encouraged to speak out’.23 Besides, the in 2020 by the government’s opposition parties; there fact that SVG is a small society where everyone knows is a need for greater funding, prevention measures, the other potentially affects police officer’s neutrality. and responsiveness to victims of these horrendous actions28. Testimonials of victims of DV from St. Vincent 22 DeShong (2014). National Gender Based Violence Action Plan 2015-2019. 23 UQAM’s Clinic for the Defense of Human Rights and St Vincent and the Grenadines Human Rights Association (2014). Violence Against Women and Girls, SVG. A Shadow Report presented to the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women at its 61st session, November 2014 24 Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (2013). Saint Vincent and the Grenadines: Domestic violence, including legislation, availability of state protection and services (2010-2013), cited in Vassel, L. (2014). Country Gender Assessment Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. CDB. Barbados, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (2013). Saint Vincent and the Grenadines: Domestic violence, including legislation, availability of state protection and services (2010-2013). Accessed at: http://www.refworld.org/docid/52a842f94.html 25 Beijing +20 Report, 2014. 26 Gaietry Pargass. “Draft UNIFEM Baseline Study on Sexual Violence in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.” September 2010.” 27 See US Department of State 2014 Human Rights Report for SVG. 28 Wong, M. (2020, November 25). Abused women need another shelter in St Vincent and the Grenadines. Loop News. https://caribbean.loopnews.com/content/ abused-women-need-another-shelter-st-vincent-and-grenadines World Bank GBV Country Profile: SAINT VINCENT Page 8 The National Gender Based Violence Action Plan sums age, gender, class, disability, sexual orientation, inter up the root issue: ‘There is urgent need to address alia, which create vulnerabilities to GBV among specific factors which exacerbate the occurrence of GBV such groups’.29 as poverty and unequal relations of power based on POLICY AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK Gender equality in the legal framework: With regards gender identity, or social status. It guards the human to overall gender equality in the legal framework, rights of all persons within the country and holds the according to the World Bank’s 2023 “Women, Business State accountable for violations of human rights, and the Law” study, St. Vincent and the Grenadines protects the right to life, and prohibits cruel, inhuman, scores 68.1 out of 100 (over 8 indicators). When it comes and degrading treatment of all citizens. As such, it to constraints related to marriage, gender differences mandates the State to protect women from all forms in property and inheritance, and laws affecting the size of violence perpetrated against them in public and of a woman’s pension, St. Vincent and the Grenadines private spaces. gets a perfect score. The regional and international treaties related to The Constitution, Acts of Parliament and rules from gender equality and the protection of women from the common law form the legal framework which violence to which SVG is a party include: the Inter- protects women and girls from discrimination and American Convention on the Prevention, Punishment GBV in St. Vincent and the Grenadines: Similar to all and Eradication of Violence against Women countries of the English-speaking Caribbean, it has (Convention of Belem do Para) and the Convention on ratified most of the International Conventions aimed the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against at addressing GBV and promoting gender equality, and Women (CEDAW). Additionally, the country has signed developed local national policy frameworks and action on to several international Plans of Action to promote plans to directly guide its GBV response. gender equality, such as the Beijing Declaration for Gender Equality. Although the Constitution of St. Vincent and the Grenadines prohibits sex discrimination, it does not The Domestic Violence Act 2015 has expanded address discrimination based on sexual orientation, the protections previously available to victims of 29 DeShong (2014). National Gender Based Violence Action Plan 30 This Act is a revision of the 1995 Domestic Violence Act. World Bank GBV Country Profile: SAINT VINCENT Page 9 DV.30 The law provides for the granting of Provisional making the complaint is the victim.33 All reports must Orders, Protection Orders, Occupation Orders, and be recorded and submitted to the Domestic Violence other Courts Orders related to property and financial Register kept by the Commissioner of Police.34 It also entitlements. Tehse orders are made by the Family provides for the perpetrator to be ordered therapy Court. The Act also gives the police powers of entry and counselling, and failure to comply is punishable and arrest in cases where necessary. The Act defines by summary conviction and a fine not exceeding ten DV as any controlling or abusive behaviour that harms thousand EC dollars. However, critics of the new DV the health, safety or well-being of a person or any child. Act point out that it places a financial burden on It covers several types of violence: a) physical abuse or victims, and it does not specify the role of the Crisis threats of physical abuse; b) sexual abuse or threats Centre, which is intended to be a shelter for battered of sexual abuse; c) emotional, verbal or psychological women.35 abuse; d) economic abuse; e) intimidation; f) harassment; g) stalking; h) damage to and destruction Sexual Harassment is not explicitly addressed under of property; and, i) entry into the applicant is residence any law in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Though without consent, where the parties do not share the there is no specific data on the extent and nature of same residence.31 It allows for applications for Court sexual harassment, local women’s groups and human Orders to be made on behalf of the applicant by “any rights organizations claim it is widespread, particularly other person who may have a material interest in the in the workplace.36 wellbeing of the applicant in specific circumstances”.32 The DV legislation does not explicitly criminalise DV There is also no explicit legal prohibition of marital as it is not meant to replace criminal proceedings, rape, and the Marriage Act establishes, with parental but rather, to expand the range of remedies which are consent, 15 years as the minimum legal age of marriage available to victims of DV, and to establish a framework for girls and 16 years for boys. for DV response and reporting. Physical, sexual, and other forms of abuse are This Act makes responding to DV complaints addressed under the Criminal Code Cap 124 of the mandatory for police officers, whether or not the person 1990 Revised Laws of SVG. Among the offences 31 Part 1 All, Section 2 32 S. 5(3): where the applicant is a child, a dependent, mentally ill, physically incapacitated, or unable to provide the required consent. 33 S.19(1). 34 The format for the report is also prescribed and the template is provided in Schedule 2 of the Act. It must include basic information such as the relationship and sex of the parties as well as any history of DV between the two parties. 35 St. Vincent and the Grenadines 2016 UPR: Joint Submission from the United Nations Subregional Team for Barbados and the OECS. St. Vincent and the Grena- dines 2016 UPR - OHCHR UPR ...h (US Department of State Human Rights report, 2020 https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/SAINT-VINCENT-AND-THE-GRENADINES-2020- 36 HUMAN-RIGHTS-REPORT.pdf World Bank GBV Country Profile: SAINT VINCENT Page 10 established under this Code are rape, indecent a civil remedy, and focuses on the protection of the assault, gross indecency, buggery, 37 sex trafficking/ victim, while the actual crime/offence will continue to procuration,38 and sexual offences in relation to be prosecuted under the Criminal Code.42 children, and persons with mental impairment. Children under fifteen years of age cannot legally give Abortion is illegal, except in cases of rape or incest.43 consent to sexual intercourse and a wide range of Persons found guilty of procuring an abortion are liable other sexual activities. Consequently, it is a criminal to imprisonment for fourteen years. offence for anyone to have, or attempt to have, sexual intercourse with a child who is under fifteen years of The “Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act” age39. Penalties are particularly stringent for having of 2011 criminalizes sex trafficking and labour sex with a child under thirteen years of age.40 trafficking in SVG. It prescribes punishments of up to 15 years imprisonment, a fine of 250,000 Eastern Under the Criminal Code, 41 protection from incest Caribbean dollars, or both. It stipulates that there applies only to victims under 16 years; for older will be protection and assistance to victims, including victims the offence is rape, regardless of any direct relocation, new identity, new residence, work permits familial relationship between the victim and the or protection of confidentiality of identity and location. perpetrator. There haven’t been any convictions under this law. The provision of the law, which allows for the imposition New Child Protection legislation was passed in of fines in lieu of imprisonment, has been criticized as 2013 to provide an additional layer of protection for ‘not commensurate with penalties for other serious children who are physically and sexually abused. This crimes.’44 new Act includes provisions to address reporting and investigation of cases; care seeking plans; legal redress Recommendations for Improving legal framework: by way of a range of possible orders and providing a Though SVG has updated some of its laws to protect selection of possible interventions. The law provides women from gender-based violence, married women 37 Anal sex which is criminalized even if between consenting adults 38 It is a criminal offence for a person to procure or attempt to procure a woman to become a prostitute or an inmate in a brothel. Any person who does this may be imprisoned for fourteen years. 39 If a man or boy has sexual intercourse with a girl who is above the age of thirteen years but below the age of fifteen years, he may be imprisoned for five years. A close-in-age exception applies where the accused is a young man under nineteen years of age and he has not previously been charged with a similar offence he may have a defence to the charge if he believed that the girl was fifteen years of age or more and he had reasonable cause for that belief. 40 The penalty for having sexual intercourse with a girl who is under thirteen years of age is imprisonment for life. 41 S. 142 42 See https://caribbean.unwomen.org/en/caribbean-gender-portal/caribbean-gbv-law-portal/gbv-country-resources/saint-vincent#CRCOD 43 S. 149 Criminal Code 44 United States Department of State (2020). Trafficking in Persons Report 2020. https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/2020-TIP-Report-Com- plete-062420-FINAL.pdf 45 See Reports from the Women’s Health Surveys which have been conducted in five Caribbean countries. 46 It is not clear if this Plan has been reviewed or extended. World Bank GBV Country Profile: SAINT VINCENT Page 11 still have no legal recourse in the cases of marital rape, III. Address cultures of impunity to GBV and improve and women in the workplace have no specific protection the capacity of the judiciary and law enforcement against sexual harassment. Updates in these areas to respond to GBV. are recommended to buttress the protection and IV. Improved mechanisms measuring GBV and recourse of women who experience GBV. The removal monitoring the National Action Plan (NAP). of the parental consent exception to child marriage will also mitigate the risk of IPV faced by girls in these Related actions recommended under the Plan include marriages. Research globally and in the Caribbean45 behaviour change interventions, public education, has shown that early cohabitation with a man puts training; projects for strengthening the economic and girls, who are legally still children at age 15, at a high social position of women, coordination between the risk of IPV. Removing this parental consent exception medical/social/legal agencies, women’s organizations can help reduce this risk. and other civil society partners; continued training of police officers; engaging men, including perpetrators Saint Vincent and the Grenadines has no National to provide a space for men to take responsibility for Policy on Gender Equality. Actions to prevent and their actions, develop their understanding of the root respond to GBV have been guided by the National causes of violence against women, and participate in Gender Based Violence Action Plan 2015-2019.46 the process for change; public advocacy by men and boys; and the design and sharing of data collection The National Action Plan Against GBV, 2014, information among partners. is a multi-sectoral framework to guide various stakeholders in the government and civil society in The extent to which this plan has been implemented efforts to eliminate GBV. The Plan outlines mechanisms is unclear. for policy, legislation, multi-sectoral collaboration, implementation, prevention, data collection, monitoring and evaluation.47 It is built around four main outcomes: I. Eliminate attitudes and social and cultural norms which support gender-based discrimination. II. Ensure adequate protection and service provision for survivors of GBV. 45 See Reports from the Women’s Health Surveys which have been conducted in five Caribbean countries. 46 It is not clear if this Plan has been reviewed or extended. 47 The intention was for actions to be implemented in three phases short-term (2014-2015), medium-term (2014-2017), and long-term (2017 and beyond). World Bank GBV Country Profile: SAINT VINCENT Page 12 GBV RESPONSE MECHANISMS AND SERVICES Saint Vincent and the Grenadines has a Gender Violence against Women. Affairs Division (GAD) within the Ministry of National Mobilization, Social Development, Family, Gender Specific public education activities include those Affairs, Persons with Disabilities, and Youth. This is undertaken with the education system to provide the main institutional mechanism for the promotion of gender awareness training for teachers and gender equality in SVG, and the anchor for all efforts by preparing educational materials for distribution in the government to prevent and respond to GBV. It is schools, including material on GBV. It has also held supported in its work by key agencies such as the Royal Gender Sensitization training for Police Officers, and St. Vincent Police Force, the Family Court, the Division was successful in having a Gender Sensitization Module of Family Affairs, and civil society organizations. added to the curriculum for the training of new police recruits.49 There has also been training of health care With its small staff of eight, the Division is the only professionals, social workers, and other key groups in agency within government that has ongoing, specific GBV response. programs for violence against women (VAW) with a budget of 0.05 per cent of the national budget.48 The GAD Anti-Violence Campaign which began in Among its activities to sensitize the public about 2014 has reached over twenty (20) communities, gender equality broadly, and GBV in particular, are a selected based on the level of domestic violence as weekly radio programme and workshops, hosted in recorded by the police. The campaign covers issues collaboration with other government agencies on a such as the nature and consequences of GBV, the legal variety of gender related topics such as adolescent protections available for survivors, and the roles and pregnancy and reproductive health, and child abuse. responsibilities of the Family Court. This was followed The GAD also leads research and advocacy for changes by the establishment of Victim Support Groups in 10 to the Domestic Violence Act, and holds a month of communities. It is however, not clear how effective activities to promote the International Day for Ending these groups have been, given the paucity of resources 48 The total budget allocated to the GAD in 2016 is $ 516,874 and the approved budget for 2015 was $ 480,854 2016 budget represents 1.93% of the Ministry’s annual budget and 0.06% of the country’s annual budget. In 2015 the GAD received 1.27% of the Ministry’s annual budget and 0.05% of the Country’s annual budget (report to Belem do Para Monitoring Committee). The Monitoring Committee for Belem do Para in 2017 noted that despite understanding the diversity of problems in a country, it also notes that a such as small share of the budget is extremely low in a Ministry to deal with specific issues of gender violence in a country whose rates of violence against women are very high. 49 (Beijing +20 review) World Bank GBV Country Profile: SAINT VINCENT Page 13 to build their capacity over time.50 see the District Medical Officer (DMO). These forms are completed and returned to the Police to assist in their The Royal St. Vincent Police Force is a critical partner full investigation of the complaint. Where investigations in efforts to eliminate GBV. Effective police response warrant, the alleged perpetrator is arrested and charged to GBV and its associated physical and psychological and criminal proceedings pursued before the Family effects should be informed, sensitive, and non- Court, Magistrates Court or High Court, depending on judgmental. This is required not only from specialised the seriousness of the allegation. Although aspects of Sexual Offences Unit within the Criminal Investigation this process are laid down in the DV Act, most Police Department (CID) in the capital city Kingstown, but 51 Officers require further training in how to handle cases throughout the other units located across the island. of DV.54 Despite several training activities, and a revision of the police training curriculum,52 there is still a need for this Delays in the forensic medical examination of training to cover more of the police force. Although there victims of sexual violence affect the pace at which are general policies on how cases of GBV, particularly cases can be advanced. This delay is largely due to sexual offences are handled once reported, there is no the unavailability of District Medical Officers (DMOs) written Protocol or referral pathway available to police in some geographical areas. In some areas, the DMOs officers. The GBV Action plan notes that there is a are non-nationals whose terms of employment do not ‘general policy’ that requires sexual assaults be taken allow them to go to Court. Where this is the case, the by female officers, when available. The procedure for investigating officer must make other arrangements reporting sexual offences is a) ensuring that the victim’s which can result in delays of up to four or five hours or statement is taken in private; b) contacting the Social more before the examination can be done.55 Services Department or GAD to provide counselling; and, c) facilitating prompt medical attention.53 The Family Court was established in law in 1992, and began operating in 1995. The Court covers a wide Procedures in matters of DV need to be streamlined jurisdiction: (i) the Juvenile Court for offenders under within the Police Force. On receiving a complaint of 16 years of age; (ii) the Court of summary jurisdiction DV, the police records a statement in writing from the for DV matters; (iii) the Court through which the victim, who, if necessary, is issued a Medical Form to vast majority of sexual offence matters are legally 50 The 2019 Report to the UNHRC makes the point that there is still need for capacity building and ‘formalization’ of these groups. 51 This Unit only handles sexual offences, and does not have its own physical space, but has access to private areas to receive reports of GBV (National GBV Action Plan). 52 The current training comprises three one and a half hour modules (See National GBV Action Plan). 53 Gaietry Pargass (2010). Draft UNIFEM Baseline Study on Sexual Violence in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. 54 Vassell (2014). Country Gender Assessment. St. Vincent and the Grenadines and DeShong (2014). National GBV Action Plan. 55 National GBV Plan of Action 2015-2019. World Bank GBV Country Profile: SAINT VINCENT Page 14 mandated to be heard; and; (iv) the Court where the to the Crisis Centre is also in place.60 majority of custody matters are brought.56 The Court operates “in camera” with only the key parties present The Center also operates a 24-hour Crisis Hotline, at hearings to protect the privacy of the victim, and telephone referrals, court advocacy services, and also provides counselling services through its staff for accompaniment and assistance through each stage victims of DV.57 of the judicial process.61 Through GAD, the Centre provides social protection cash transfers to victims and There are no financial resources for free legal services survivors to assist in their reintegration with families to survivors of GBV. Pro bono services are available and in their communities. through the SVG Human Rights Association and some private lawyers, but there is no institution that The National Council on Women is the main Non- provides information, care, and psychological support Governmental Organization addressing Gender to women before, during and after the legal process. Issues in Saint Vincent and Grenadines. It is an umbrella organization of civil society organizations Working through GAD, the government established (CSO) in the women’s movement which main focus is a Crisis Center for victims of Domestic Violence in advocate for legislative changes to improve protection 2012 . The Centre provides important services such 58 for women and ensure that DV cases are prosecuted. It as counselling and emergency shelter for survivors of also provides training on DV prevention and response, DV. It can host 10 persons for a maximum period of 3 and works to develop and improve accountability months. Though critical, the shelter service is limited systems to ensure that women and girls in custody only to women who have secured a Protection Order of the criminal system are not sexually assaulted and through the Courts. Complainants are referred to exploited.62 Though well-known across the island, it is the GAD for an assessment. If she cannot live at a not clear that the Council is still actively carrying out relative’s place and if she is in danger from her partner, these functions. she may be granted access to the Crisis Center. This process significantly undermines its effectiveness as The Marion House is a Catholic Non-Governmental an ‘emergency’ option for women who are in immediate Organization and the only professional CSO “walk danger due to DV.59 A protocol for intake and referral in” counselling centre. It provides counselling and 56 http://www.judiciary.gov.vc/judiciary/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3&Itemid=76 57 There are only three trained counsellors on staff at the Family Court. 58 It is reported that this Shelter was closed throughout 2020. (USDS, 2020 Report). 59 This was the position in 2013. 60 Beijing+20 Report. 61 https://evaw-global-database.unwomen.org/en/countries/americas/saint-vincent-and-the-grenadines/2012/crisis-center-for-victims-of-domestic-violence 62 https://evaw-global-database.unwomen.org/pt/countries/americas/saint-vincent-and-the-grenadines/2014/national-council-on-women World Bank GBV Country Profile: SAINT VINCENT Page 15 training services to a wide audience of women and collect intake data there is no pooling of the information, girls, including female prisoners and women who have neither is there sex or age disaggregation.64 There is experienced GBV.63 also no systematic collection and sharing of data by the NGOs which may also provide services to survivors Few civil society organizations provides GBV related of GBV. Without this data, it is more difficult for the services in SVG. The capacity of the National Council government of SVG to craft a potentially effective on Women is weak, rendering it incapable of leading a response to GBV. coordinated and broad-based response by CSOs. The lack of a variety of service providers limit the access of women in the Grenadine islands and rural areas to GBV prevention and response services. With the exception of procedures prescribed by the law, there are no inter-sector protocols to address GBV in SVG. There is no agreed referral pathway, the absence of which means that stakeholders do not have clear guidelines and an understanding of their role in a coordinated approach to prevent and respond to GBV. The Police in partnership with the GAD are responsible for generating statistics on GBV in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Despite efforts to streamline and update data collection systems, including with international donor assistance, there is still a dearth of statistics on GBV in SVG. Work has been done to design a data collection mechanism within the various departments and agencies that interface with cases of GBV (Police, Family Court, High Court, Family Services Division) to systematically collect data disaggregated by age, type of violence, etc. However, though the various government agencies and Ministries - the Family Court, police, hospital and health centers – 63 Beijing+20 Report. 64 See Belem do Para Report, 2017. World Bank GBV Country Profile: SAINT VINCENT Page 16 APPENDIX 1 – AVAILABLE SERVICES Name GBV Service Contact Gender Affairs Division Receives reports and provides direct social and psychological services to http://mobilization.gov.vc/ victims of IPV and adult victims of sexual abuse. mobilization/index.php/gender-affairs The Ministry of National Mobilisation, Report can be made via telephone, email, mail or a visit to the Bureau’s Social Development, Family, Gender office Affairs, Youth, Conducts capacity building and training of other GBV service providers. Housing and Informal Human Implements public education programmes on GBV. Settlement Halifax Street Kingstown Saint Vincent Contact Tel: (784) 453-2061 email: office.socialdevelopment@mail. gov.vc The Crisis Centre Counselling, Contact through the Gender Affairs Shelter services Division Tel; 784-453-2061. Small grants for reintegration and relocation if needed 24 Hour Hotline Royal Saint Vincent Police Force Emergency response, investigations, arrests, and providing evidence for Criminal Investigation Division (CID) prosecution. Also has a Anti-Trafficking Unit and a Sexual Offences Unit. 1-784-456-1810 World Bank GBV Country Profile: SAINT VINCENT Page 17 Civil Society Organisations Marion House Skills training for survivors Marion House Counselling services Richmond Hill Tel: 784-456-2161 Fax: 784-456-1318 National Council for Women SVG Advocacy to encourage legislative changes to improve protection for women https://www.facebook. and ensure that DV cases are prosecuted. com/pages/category/Non- Governmental-Organization- It also provides training on domestic violence prevention and response -NGO-/National-Council-of- Women-555847524550908/ Ms. Muriel Byam National Council of Women P.O. Box 1157 Kingstown St Vincent Tel: 456 4743 E-mail: muriel@vincysurf.com. World Bank GBV Country Profile: SAINT VINCENT Page 18 APPENDIX 2 – UN WOMEN: MEASURES AGAINST VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN (SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES)65 https://evaw-global-database.unwomen.org/en/countries/americas/saint-vincet-and-the-grenadines 65 UN Women. (n.d.). Global Database on Violence against Women. (n.d.). https://evaw-global-database.unwomen.org/en/countries/americas/saint-vin- cent-and-the-grenadines World Bank GBV Country Profile: SAINT VINCENT Page 19 GLOSSARY Gender Roles that are determined socially, behaviours, activities, and attributes that a society considers appropriate for men and women. These roles are contextual and influenced by a society’s culture and traditions, as well as by prevailing religious beliefs. Gender-Based Any act of violence that results in, or the nature of which causes, physical, sexual, or Violence (GBV) psychological harm or suffering to someone because of his or her sex. This including threats through similar acts, coercion, or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether in public or private life (UN, 1993). Sex Refers to the biological and physiological characteristics which differentiate men and women. Sexual Exploitation Any real or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, power differential, or relationship of confidence for a sexual purpose, including, but not limited to, taking financial, social, or political advantage of another through sexual means. Sexual Abuse Real or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether it be by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. Sexual Harassment Unwelcomed sexual advances, demand for sexual favors, or any other verbal or physical behavior of a sexual nature. In the workplace, submission to these advances or behaviors may made either implicitly or explicitly a condition of continued employment, promotion, or other decisions affecting a person’s employment. World Bank GBV Country Profile: SAINT VINCENT Page 20 REFERENCES — Country Economic Review 2020 - St. Vincent and the Grenadines | Caribbean Development Bank. (n.d.). ht- tps://www.caribank.org/publications-and-resources/resource-library/economic-reviews/country-economic-re- view-2020-st-vincent-and-grenadines — Caribbean Development Bank (2020). Country Economic Review, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, 2019. https://www.caribank.org/publications-and-resources/resource-library/economic-reviews/country-economic-re- view-2019-st-vincent-and-grenadines — Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), “Country Strategy Paper, 2007-10: St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” Coun- try Analysis and Policy Unit, Economic Department, October 2007. — DeShong, H. (2014). Saint Vincent and the Grenadines: National Gender Based Violence Action Plan 2015-2019. Gender Affairs Division, Ministry of National Mobilisation, Social Development, Family, Gender Affairs, Persons with Disabilities and Youth. — Gaietry Pargass. “Draft UNIFEM Baseline Study on Sexual Violence in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.” Septem- ber 2010.” — Government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (2013). National Economic and Social Development Plan 2013- 2025. https://observatorioplanificacion.cepal.org/sites/default/files/plan/files/SanVicenteylasgranadinascompleto. pdf — Human Rights Committee 125th session 4–29 March 2019 : Replies of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to the list of issues. https://tbinternet.ohchr.org/_layouts/15/treatybodyexternal/Download.aspx?symbolno=CCPR%2fC%- 2fVCT%2fQ%2f2%2fAdd.1&Lang=en — Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (2013). Saint Vincent and the Grenadines: Domestic violence, inclu- ding legislation, availability of state protection and services (2010-2013).Accessed at: http://www.refworld.org/ docid/52a842f94.html World Bank GBV Country Profile: SAINT VINCENT Page 21 — Improving Response and Resilience of Health Sector to COVID-19 - Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | Ca- ribbean Development Bank. (n.d.-b). https://www.caribank.org/publications-and-resources/resource-library/ board-papers/loans-grants-and-project-summaries/improving-response-and-resilience-health-sector-co- vid-19-saint-vincent-and-grenadines — Ministry of National Mobilisation, Social Development , the Family, Gender and Youth Affairs (2014). St. Vincent and the Grenadines National Review of the Beijing Platform for Action + 20 . — Reported Crimes by Type of Crime, 2011 to 2020. (2022, January 18). Statistical Office, Government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. https://stats.gov.vc/subjects/crime-and-justice/reported-crimes-by-type-of-crime- 2011-to-2020/ — Saint Vincent and the Grenadines - Country profile. (n.d.). Gender Equality Observatory. https://oig.cepal.org/en/ countries/79/profile — Saint Vincent and the Grenadines - The World Factbook. (n.d.). https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/coun- tries/saint-vincent-and-the-grenadines/summaries — Saint Vincent And The Grenadines Country Report Third Round (2017). Follow-Up Mechanism Convention Of Belém Do Pará (Mesecvi) Fourteenth Meeting Of The Committee Of Experts (Cevi) November 27-28, 2017. Panamá City, Panamá. MESECVI/CEVI/doc.250/17 November 21, 2017 — St. Vincent and the Grenadines 2016 UPR: Joint Submission from the United Nations Subregional Team for Bar- bados and the OECS. St. Vincent and the Grenadines 2016 UPR - OHCHR UPR ...h — St. Vincent and the Grenadines. (n.d.). World Bank Gender Data Portal. https://genderdata.worldbank.org/coun- tries/st-vincent-and-the-grenadines — Statistical Office Economic Planning and Sustainable Development Division Ministry of Finance, Economic Plan- ning, Sustainable Development & Information Technology (2015). An Overview of the Labour Market, St. Vincent and Grenadines. http://stats.gov.vc/stats/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Overview-of-the-labour-Market-of-SVG. pdf World Bank GBV Country Profile: SAINT VINCENT Page 22 — United Nations Development Programme. (2021). Confronting Gender Disparities and Multiple Hazard Events: A Caribbean Reality EnGenDER Newsletter August 2021. Ministry of Finance Economic Planning and Information Technology. http://mobilization.gov.vc/mobilization/images/PDF/EnGenDER_Newsletter_Final_Publication_Au- gust_2021.pdf — United Nations. (n.d.-a). Specific country data | Human Development Reports. https://hdr.undp.org/data-center/ specific-country-data — United Nations. (n.d.-b). Specific country data | Human Development Reports. https://hdr.undp.org/data-center/ specific-country-data — United States Department of State (2020). Trafficking in Persons Report 2020. https://www.state.gov/wp-con- tent/uploads/2020/06/2020-TIP-Report-Complete-062420-FINAL.pdf — United States Department of State Human Rights report, 2020 https://www.state.gov/wp-content/ uploads/2021/03/SAINT-VINCENT-AND-THE-GRENADINES-2020-HUMAN-RIGHTS-REPORT.pdf — UQAM’s Clinic for the Defense of Human Rights and St Vincent and the Grenadines Human Rights Association (2014). Violence Against Women and Girls, SVG. A Shadow Report presented to the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women at its 61st session, November 2014 — Vassell, L. (2015). Country Gender Assessment Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Caribbean Development Bank. Barbados — Wong, M. (2020, November 25). Abused women need another shelter in St Vincent and the Grenadines. Loop News. https://caribbean.loopnews.com/content/abused-women-need-another-shelter-st-vincent-and-grenadines — World Bank (2021). Women, Business and the Law 2021: St. Vincent and the Grenadines. https://wbl.worldbank. org/content/dam/documents/wbl/2022/snapshots/St-vincent-and-the-grenadines.pdf Social Sustainability and Inclusion Global Practice, Latin America and the Caribbean Region Published: June 2023