Gender-Based Violence Country Profile JAMAICA Contents INTRODUCTION 3 PREVALENCE OF GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE: PRE- AND POST-COVID 4 SOCIAL NORMS WHICH DRIVE GBV 6 POLICY AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK 7 GBV RESPONSE MECHANISMS AND SERVICES 10 CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS WORKING TO ELIMINATE VAWG IN 11 JAMAICA APPENDIX 1 – AVAILABLE SERVICES 13 APPENDIX 2 – UN WOMEN: MEASURES AGAINST VIOLENCE AGAINST 15 WOMEN (JAIMAICA) GLOSSARY 16 REFERENCES 17 World Bank GBV Country Profile: JAMAICA Page 3 INTRODUCTION Jamaica is a small island developing state situated girls aged 15-49 years have experienced physical and/ in the Caribbean. It is the third largest island in or sexual violence from a current or former intimate the Caribbean, with an approximate population partner.3 Emotional abuse is the most common form of 2.8 million and a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of IPV in Jamaica, with 29% of Jamaican women of $ 14.6 billion Agriculture and tourism are two of 1 having experienced it. Economic abuse affects 8.5% of Jamaica’s main industries, with the latter contributing women, and non-partner sexual violence affects 23% significantly to the country’s economy as well as the of women.4 Exposure to violence has been found to tourism industry. However, the COVID-19 pandemic have negative implications for women’s physical and had a significant impact on the tourism industry, with emotional health. Survivors were more likely to have the number of visitors dropping by 68% in 2020. suicidal thoughts and to use recreational drugs. The Covid-19 pandemic has intensified IPV, with a higher Jamaica has a high prevalence of gender-based percentage of women reporting frequent experiences of violence (GBV), with a domestic violence rate that IPV. Overall, the data highlights the need for continued increased by 15.6% in 2022 compared to the previous efforts to prevent and address GBV in Jamaica.5 year.2 In addition, 24% of ever-partnered women and 1 World Bank. (n.d) Jamaica. In World Bank Data. Retrieved from https://data.worldbank.org/country/jamaica 2 The Changing Face of Domestic Violence Intervention in Jamaica | United Nations Development Programme. (n.d.). UNDP. https://www.undp.org/jamaica/ stories/changing-face-domestic-violence-intervention-jamaica#:~:text=Jamaica%20remains%20a%20hotspot%20for,National%20Prevalence%20Survey%20 in%202018 3 Social Institutions & Gender Index Jamaica Profile https://www.oecd.org/stories/gender/social-norms-and-gender-discrimination/sigi?country=JAM 4 Watson, C. (2018). Women’s health survey 2016. UN Women, Inter-American Development Bank, Statistical Institute of Jamaica 5 Bourne, P., Palmer A., Brady, B., Swaby,R. et.al (2021):An Evaluation of Domestic Violence against Jamaican Women during the Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19) Pandemic. International Journal of Collaborative Research on Internal Medicine & Public Health. Vol 13 No. 9 (2021). https://www.iomcworld.org/ articles/an-evaluation-of-domestic-violence-against-jamaican-women-during-the-coronavirus-disease-19-covid19-pandemic.pdf World Bank GBV Country Profile: JAMAICA Page 4 PREVALENCE OF GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE: PRE- AND POST-COVID UN Women Prevalence Data on Different Forms of percentage of ever partnered women and girls aged Violence against Women:6 15-49 years subjected to physical and/or sexual violence by a current or former intimate partner was — Lifetime Physical and/or Sexual Intimate Partner 24%.8 Violence: 27.8% — Physical and/or Sexual Intimate Partner Violence In the first 10 months of 2022, the number of in the last 12 months: 7% domestic violence cases referred to the Domestic Violence Intervention Centres (DVICs) in Jamaica — Lifetime Non-Partner Sexual Violence: 23% by police divisions were already 15.6% higher than — Child Marriage: 7.9% the referrals for all of 2021. In 2022, 1324 cases were referred to the DVICs compared to 1145 cases Jamaica has a GII value of 0,335, ranking it 80 out of in 2021.9 Moreover, the 2016 UN Women survey on 170 countries in 2021. women’s health in Jamaica showed that 77 per cent of women find it is natural (or God-intended) that a man Regarding the Global Gender Gap Index, Jamaica has should be the head of his family; 70 per cent agree that an overall rank of 38th according to the Global Gender a woman’s main role is to take care of the home, and Gap Index 2022 a great advance compared to the 31 per cent believe that a wife is obligated to have sex previous year rank 40th. with her husband whenever he wants.10 Jamaica Women’s deaths at the hands of their There is scarce information on Gender Based Violence intimate partner or former partner rate was 0.6 in Jamaica. The most complete information on GBV over 100,000 women by 2021. Accordingly, the 7 regarding Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) Emotional 6 UN Women Global Database on Violence against Women. (n.d.). Jamaica. https://evaw-global-database.unwomen.org/en/countries/americas/jamaica 7 Gender Equality Observatory for Latin America and the Caribbean. Jaimaica Profile https://oig.cepal.org/en/countries/75/profile 8 Social Institutions & Gender Index Jamaica Profile https://www.oecd.org/stories/gender/social-norms-and-gender-discrimination/sigi?country=JAM 9 The Changing Face of Domestic Violence Intervention in Jamaica | United Nations Development Programme. (n.d.). UNDP. https://www.undp.org/jamaica/ stories/changing-face-domestic-violence-intervention-jamaica#:~:text=Jamaica%20remains%20a%20hotspot%20for,National%20Prevalence%20Survey%20 in%202018 10 UN Women (2016) Women’s Health Survey Jamaica https://evaw-global-database.unwomen.org/-/media/files/un%20women/vaw/vaw%20survey/jamai- ca%20womens%20health%20survey%20report%202016.pdf?vs=5406 World Bank GBV Country Profile: JAMAICA Page 5 Violence and other types of violence dates of 2016 intimidated by male partners. It also covers verbal and has little to no updates in the topics gathered threats to women or someone they care about, for the report.11 The Women’s Health Survey, 201612 such as their children. collected data on women’s experiences with physical, sexual, emotional and economic violence in intimate — Regarding other types of violence such as economic relationships, and with non-partner sexual violence. abuse in Jamaica, 8.5 per cent of women reported It examined whether this had happened to women at having experiences with this type of abuse, which any point over their lives (lifetime prevalence), and if it involves being refused money by a partner on whom happened in the 12 months prior to the survey (current they are financially dependent, having their income prevalence). The following information was gathered taken away, or being prevented from working by a from said document: male partner. — One in every four Jamaican women (25.2 per — Exposure to violence has been found to have cent) has experienced physical violence by a negative implications for women’s physical and male partner, and 7.7 per cent have been sexually emotional health. Survivors were more likely abused by a male partner. to have suicidal thoughts (12.2%), and to use recreational drugs (5.4%), than women who did — The acts of physical partner violence that not experience IPV. The data also confirms the women most commonly experience include being intergenerational nature of the experience and slapped (19.7 per cent), beaten with fists (14.7 per use of violence. Women partnered with men who cent) and being pushed (14.3 per cent). 7.6 per cent witnessed or experienced physical abuse during report being kicked and 7.7 per cent report being childhood,13 had higher rates of IPV. threatened with or actually attacked with a weapon. — Non-Partner Sexual Violence (NPSV)14: In Jamaica, 23 per cent of women have experienced — Emotional abuse is the most common form of sexual violence from a man who was not an Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and is suffered intimate partner. Approximately one of every four by almost 29 per cent of Jamaican women. This women had experienced sexual harassment, and includes women being humiliated, belittled, or 10 per cent reported being forced to have sexual 11 Williams, C. L., UN Women, & Inter American Development Bank. (2018). Women’s Health Survey 2016: Jamaica: Final Report. Women’s Health Survey 2016: Jamaica: Final Report. https://doi.org/10.18235/0001170 12 Watson, C. (2018). Women’s health survey 2016. UN Women, Inter-American Development Bank, Statistical Institute of Jamaica 13 That is, saw his mother beaten or he was beaten as a child. 14 NPSV includes forced intercourse, attempted intercourse, unwanted sexual touching and sexual harassment perpetrated by someone other than an intimate partner. World Bank GBV Country Profile: JAMAICA Page 6 intercourse. One-fifth of women reported being intimate, non-intimate, and familial relationships. sexually abused as children. The main perpetrators of this violence against girls were friends and Intimate Partner Violence is reported to have acquaintances (22.9%), complete strangers (16.6%) increased during the Covid-19 pandemic: A study15 and family members other than parents or siblings published in 2021 found that IPV has intensified during (1.9%). the pandemic, with a higher percentage of women reporting experiences of frequent IPV (53%) compared Overall, the data paints a picture in which women to 49% who had frequent experiences of IPV before the and girls are at risk of physical and sexual violence pandemic.16 On the same line, the Gender Equality from their intimate partners, friends, acquaintances, Observatory for Latin America and the Caribbean and members of their own families. This confirms states that Women’s deaths at the hands of their that what is known about VAWG globally is also true intimate partner or former partner rate was of 0.5 for Jamaica: the main threat to women and girls is not per 100,000 women by 2020, while by 2021 the rate from strangers but from people with whom they have was higher with 0.6 per 100,000 women. SOCIAL NORMS WHICH DRIVE GBV Despite Jamaica’s many efforts to combat GBV and about gender roles that rationalize and support GBV. improve the personal security of women and girls, Beliefs around gendered issues such care work, and ‘a number of systemic and ideological challenges in fidelity continue to restrict women’s autonomy, giving addressing GBV in Jamaica remain. Among these credence to men’s controlling behaviours, threats and remaining barriers are social norms that have allowed use of violence against women. As in many CARICOM GBV to thrive across generations. states, these views are shaped by religious teachings, beliefs about male entitlement to women’s bodies, the Examination of the social norms which serve to perception that IPV is a private matter, and acceptance entrench GBV found that Jamaican society still of corporal punishment as a means of disciplining closely adheres to patriarchal/traditional gender children. norms which are based on systems and assumptions 15 Bourne, P., Palmer A., Brady, B., Swaby,R. et.al (2021):An Evaluation of Domestic Violence against Jamaican Women during the Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19) Pandemic. International Journal of Collaborative Research on Internal Medicine & Public Health. Vol 13 No. 9 (2021). https://www.iomcworld.org/ articles/an-evaluation-of-domestic-violence-against-jamaican-women-during-the-coronavirus-disease-19-covid19-pandemic.pdf 16 Researchers conducted a random sampling correlation research design to collect data from 513 Jamaican women 18 years and older across the island using a standardized survey created using Google forms. World Bank GBV Country Profile: JAMAICA Page 7 This was confirmed by the Women’s Health Survey the intersecting forms of discrimination and violence (WHS) which found that the prevailing views of that women and girls experience. But women do not women in Jamaican society about women and men’s believe that VAWG is acceptable or justified. These roles in the family and in intimate relationships are mixed results demonstrate that, while there is fidelity largely in line with traditional assumptions about to some norms, in other cases, there is a willingness to gender roles and behaviours. For the most part, men break from conventional beliefs which fuel GBV. are predominantly seen as breadwinners and women as nurturers and responsible for domestic duties. Under-reporting of VAWG to formal channels in Perceptions are changing, as evidenced by the findings, Jamaica is a serious concern. This was underscored by which show that women are almost universal in their the WHS, which found that almost two-thirds (63%) of belief that men and women should share authority in female victims who had recently experienced physical the family even while close to 80 per cent nonetheless and or sexual partner violence did not seek any help. Of believed that a man was the ‘natural’ head of the those who sought help, only 32% of them sought help family, and almost one third (30.9%) believed violence from the police and 12% from health services. Women, between a man and a woman was a private matter. however, speak about their abuse to friends and family The qualitative study17 found that in Jamaica, it is members; almost 85 per cent disclosed this violence to expected that men should be aggressive, powerful, someone. Hence, while they do not report it formally, controlling, and dominant. These ingrained societal women are not silent about their abuse. norms reinforce the unequal gender power relations and POLICY AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK Gender equality in the legal framework: With regards Jamaica gets a perfect score. to overall gender equality in the legal framework, according to the World Bank’s 2021 “Women, Business Jamaica has established a wide-ranging legislative and the Law” study, Jamaica scores 68.1 out of 100 and policy framework to address GBV. (over 8 indicators). When it comes to constraints on freedom of movement, constraints related to marriage, The major international conventions to which the and gender differences in property and inheritance, country is party include the Convention on the A qualitative study was done as a companion to the WHS, but a separate report was not published for Jamaica. Rather the main findings were presented in the 17 WHS Report. World Bank GBV Country Profile: JAMAICA Page 8 Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Offender Registry to house a register database among Women (CEDAW), the Convention on the Rights of the other matters. Child, the Inter-American Convention on the Prevention, Punishment and Eradication of Violence against The Child Care and Protection Act, 2004: The Act Women, also known as the Convention of Belem do addresses issues which affect children directly as Para, the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish victims, or indirectly (or potentially) as children in need Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, of care and protection. This also includes cases of child and the Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children, Child abuse. It makes provision for mandatory reporting, Prostitution and Child Pornography which it ratified in the appointment of a Children’s Advocate and the 2011. establishment of a Children’s Registry to record the details of reports of child abuse. Specifically, the following laws anchor the legal framework for response to GBV in Jamaica: Trafficking in Persons (Prevention, Suppression and Punishment) Act, 2007 (Amendment) 2009: The The Domestic Violence Act, 1995 (Amendment) Act gives effect to the protocol to prevent, suppress 2004: The Act provides for enhanced protection for and punish trafficking in persons, especially women victims of domestic violence and abuse and applies and children. The Act defines the crime of Trafficking, to both spouses and de facto (common law) spouses. establishes penalties, sets out the assistance and The Act also now makes provision for persons in protection which will be provided to victims, and the visiting relationships and allows for the Courts to issue remedies available to anyone who has been trafficked. Protection Orders, keeping the accused away from the home, work or school of the victim. Orders can be Child Pornography (Prevention) Act, 2009: This law made on behalf of men, women or children affected by prohibits the production, distribution, importation, violence within the home. exportation or possession of child pornography, and the use of children for child pornography. The Sexual Offences Act, 2011: This act is the primary source of sexual offence prohibitions and penalties in Sexual Harassment (Protection and Prevention) Act, Jamaican law. The Act repeals the Incest (Punishment) 2021. This new legislation creates a duty on workplaces Act and Sections 44-67 of the Offences Against the and institutions such as schools and children’s homes Person Act (OAPA), which deal with offences against to ensure an environment free of sexual harassment females. It makes new provisions for the prosecution for all stakeholders. It defines sexual harassment, of rape, by strengthening and defining the offence and mandates every employer or person in charge of and has created other sexual offences such as sexual an institution to “issue a policy statement in writing grooming, grievous sexual assault and marital rape. It concerning the prevention of sexual harassment in defines a child as a person under the age of eighteen the business or undertaking and the protection of the (18) years of age. It provides for establishing a Sex workers in the business or undertaking from sexual World Bank GBV Country Profile: JAMAICA Page 9 harassment .’ (s.4). It also establishes a Tribunal to hear The provision of additional shelters for abused women sexual harassment claims, which have to be made in was also a key element of the policy. writing before considered. National Strategic Action Plan to Eliminate GBV Recommendations for Improving the legal (NSAP-GBV), 2017-2027: It addresses GBV in its framework include amending the Sexual Offences “multiple, interrelated and sometimes recurring Act to remove the preconditions for marital rape, 18 forms,” recognizing that gender-based violence exists and including forced anal intercourse in the definition on a continuum of “physical, sexual, psychological/ of rape. Removing the parental consent exemption to emotional, economic abuse and exploitation.” It is built child marriages will also help to mitigate the risk of IPV on the following pillars, which collectively are designed to girls in these relationships. Research globally and to eradicate institutional and systemic barriers to the in the Caribbean19 has shown that early cohabitation elimination of gender-based violence, focusing on root with a man puts girls, who are legally still children at causes and its prevalence: age 17, at a high risk of IPV. Removing this parental I. Prevention consent exception can help reduce this risk. II. Protection The legislative landscape to combat GBV in Jamaica is III. Investigation, prosecution and enforcement of buttressed by a strong policy and strategic framework Court Orders to develop and implement programmes to protect women and girls from violence. This framework IV. Enforcement of Victim’s Rights to Compensation, includes: Reparation and Redress V. Protocols for Coordination and Data Management National Policy on Gender Equality (NPGE), 2011: Systems recognised the high prevalence of GBV as one barrier to gender equality and committed the government to Implementation of the NSAP-GBV is the current focus ‘place priority on the design and implementation of of the GOJ’s effort to combat VAWG. The Bureau of a comprehensive strategy to combat and eradicate Gender Affairs (BGA), is tasked to work with local violence against women, punish offenders and provide stakeholders and international development partners, services for victims. The strategy should involve training to implement key elements of the plan in the next 6-7 of the judiciary, law enforcement officers, prosecutors, years. medical personnel, the media etc.” (NPGE, 2011, p.72). 18 This offence only exists where there is a formal agreement or protection order by the court or where divorce proceedings have begun. It is also an offence if the husband knowingly has sex with his wife when he has an undisclosed sexually transmitted disease. 19 See Reports from the Women’s Health Surveys which have been conducted in five Caribbean countries. World Bank GBV Country Profile: JAMAICA Page 10 GBV RESPONSE MECHANISMS AND SERVICES Weak or Inadequate institutional capacity has Advocacy around GBV is driven by civil society hampered the full implementation of the legal and organizations (CSOs) that champion women’s and policy framework to address GBV in Jamaica. human rights. These Organizations are sometimes service providers for women who have suffered The Bureau of Gender Affairs (BGA) is the body violence and who have intersecting vulnerabilities, such designated to coordinate and implement measures as living with HIV and having a disability. International to achieve gender equality in Jamaica. It has primary organisations also fund programmes to eliminate GBV responsibility for the implementation of both the NPGE in Jamaica. One such programme is the Global Spotlight and the NSAP-GBV, providing technical and secretariat Initiative to Eliminate Violence Against Women, which support for the implementation of both. is funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented through the UN system in Jamaica. This is a multi-year Several other critical state and non-state programme which is expected to end in 2023. institutions also have key roles to play in preventing GBV, protecting survivors, and prosecuting and enforcing laws against GBV, as well as collecting data and monitoring incidents of violence against women and children. These include the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) through its Domestic Violence Intervention Centres and the Centre for the Investigation of Sexual Offence and Child Abuse (CISOCA)20, Victim Services Division (VSD), the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA), the Office of the Children’s Advocate (OCA), and the Family Courts. 20 As the name suggests, CISOCA only investigate sexual offences and child abuse. It does not investigate physical violence, even if it occurs within the family. World Bank GBV Country Profile: JAMAICA Page 11 CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS WORKING TO ELIMINATE VAWG IN JAMAICA I. Eve for Life: Founded in 2008, Eve for Life provides conducted assessment of the needs of women in services for women and children living with HIV. the rural areas focusing on GBV21 and increasing It provides psycho-social support and skills to opportunities for a sustainable livelihood. WROC cope with life with HIV. Not surprisingly, many of also operates a women’s clinic at its offices the women and children in its Programs are also and provides remedial literacy interventions survivors of GBV. Therefore, their interventions also for members of the communities it serves. It is address behaviors driving the HIV the epidemic currently a co-implementor (with the University of such as sexual coercion, violence against women, the West Indies) of the Patients’ Rights component and transactional and cross-generational sex, and of the Program for the Reduction of Maternal and sex trafficking. Like many other CSO providing Child Mortality in Jamaica (PROMAC). This EU these service Eve for Life is a small Organization funded Program, which began in 2017, is geared (approximately 20 team members) which depends at raising women’s awareness about their health heavily on volunteers and provides services in four rights, particularly during pregnancy. Program parishes – Kingston and St. Andrew, St. Ann, St. implementation is expected to end in 2020 James and Westmoreland. EFL has expanded its services through digital on line platforms to III. Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ): JFJ is a human reach more women under the COVID-19 pandemic rights advocacy group which began in 1999. It matching women with mentor Moms who provide currently has a staff of ten and is the only CSO counselling and referrals to GBV services. which provides legal services to persons seeking to protect their rights. Its work is funded by a variety II. Women’s Resource and Outreach Centre of IDPs, including the EU, the United Nations (WROC): Located in Kingston, WROC is a Democracy Fund (UNDEF), the United Nations community based CSO which provides a wide Children Fund (UNICEF), Amnesty International, range of services to women of the inner-city Open Society Foundations, the Global Fund to communities in Kingston. Though located in the End HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, and the inner-city, WROC has also provided training and American Friends of Jamaica.22 The Organization, 21 This was part of the University of Technology’s (UTECH) Fi Wi Jamaica program funded through USAID. The Program included activities such as town hall meetings, public awareness campaigns, and community theater productions on the issue of domestic and intimate partner violence, to raise the level of awareness of GBV across the island. 22 https://www.jamaicansforjustice.org/about-us/donors-partners World Bank GBV Country Profile: JAMAICA Page 12 as part of its mandate to improve access to V. Break Free Exodus Movement:24 Founded in justice for vulnerable/excluded groups, supports 2016 and is a series of events online and offline women who have experienced violence or threats for survivors of domestic violence, abuse, mental, of violence and wish to apply to the courts for emotional and physical trauma that women Protection Orders under the Domestic Violence experienceThe Break Free Exodus Movement group Act, or to pursue other remedies under the law. is a safe place for survivors, victims and successors They report a growing demand for this service, and of Domestic Violence, Abuse, Molestation or now handle referrals from other CSOs on this issue. other mental, emotional and physical trauma The Organization also conducts training sessions that women experience to share, heal and create on gender awareness and GBV with the Jamaica solutions for the improvement of women and Constabulary Force (JCF), and with student recruits their families globally. It offers referral services, into the police force. counselling, financial workshops focusing on a survivor cantered approach and building networks IV. Women’s Incorporated (Women’s Inc.): Women’s survivors supporting each other’s. This group is an Inc., operating in Kingston and Montego Bay extension of the global conferences, community provides counselling services and a crisis hotline workshops and other initiatives to raise funds to to women and girls who experience violence in the build and support transformational relief centers home. The Crisis Centre in Kingston also provides and safe houses worldwide25. The Mentor Mom temporary emergency accommodations at the Program provides psychological tele-counselling to shelter, mainly to serve women who experience girls and women aged 16 to 25 who are experiencing extreme domestic violence. This shelter is sustained intimate partner violence and abuse in the home. with financial support from the GOJ. It is currently They are then assigned to a ‘mentor mom’ – a the only operational domestic violence center fellow survivor of violence who is trained to provide in Jamaica . They also design and implement 23 peer-to-peer psychosocial support in navigating advocacy and awareness raising campaigns abusive situations. on broad themes such as women’s rights and legislative change, and specifically on GBV. 23 The U.S. Embassy funded and completed the refurbishment this shelter in 2016. 24 Sunday Gleaner, March 8, 2020 “No to Abuse: Yes to Families” 25 https://twitter.com/jamaicagleaner/status/1236752389929078785?lang=en World Bank GBV Country Profile: JAMAICA Page 13 APPENDIX 1 – AVAILABLE SERVICES INSTITUTION ROLE Prevention Schools Development and delivery of appropriate curriculum to shift culture which foster GBV. Bureau of Gender Public education and behaviour change campaigns to raise Affairs (BGA) awareness of GBV and shift attitudes and behaviours. BGA is currently implementing the “No Excuse for abuse” campaign with funding from UN Women. Churches/ Implementing Programs which raise awareness about GBV and can Faith Based influence change in practices and attitudes. Organizations Legislature Develop laws that are a deterrent to perpetrators Protection Courts Adjudicate on VAWG matters in the Parish and Supreme Courts. Family Courts issue Protection Orders as appropriate, and apply sanctions for violation of these orders. Police: including Police stations throughout the island receive and respond to Centre for the reports of VAWG. There are however two specialised units which are Investigation of specially trained to respond to reports of VAWG and make referrals Sexual Offences to appropriate channels (eg counselling) for assistance. Police in and Child Abuse these specialised units have been trained in the importance and (CISOCA) and the enforcement of protection orders issued by the Courts. Domestic Violence CISOCA operates seven units island-wide and has CISOCA Intervention investigators posted at different stations across the 19 divisions (ICARE) Centre covering the island. CISOCA has offices in all the parishes with additional support from policewomen who have been specially trained and are assigned to Police divisions across the island. There are 2 ICARE centres, both in Kingston. World Bank GBV Country Profile: JAMAICA Page 14 NGOs e.g. NGOs support women in a variety of ways, including helping with Jamaicans for applications for Protection Order, and provision of temporary shelter Justice (JFJ), (Women’s Inc.). Women’s Inc, and Women’s Resource Outreach Centre (WROC). Bureau of Gender Emergency Counselling (via a hotline); Legal support Affairs Victim Support Operating in all 14 parishes, the VSD provide support for victims of Division (VSD), GBV26. This support includes: Ministry of Justice — Ensuring that victims have means of re-course and redress; — Providing mediation and other counseling needs; — Ensuring that the victim is informed of his/her rights and the means through which justice may be attained; — Promoting structural changes in the justice system that facilitates the needs and rights of victims VSD helps to prepare survivors for their court appearance (where the matter is brought before the courts), and provides counselling throughout the process until resolution. Prosecution Office of the Prosecutes cases against perpetrators of VAWG (primarily physical Director of Public and sexual assaults, including rape). Prosecution. Police Investigates and prepares cases for prosecution Enforcement Police Investigates breaches of Protection Orders and bring violators before the court Family Courts Apply sanctions on violators of the law (esp. of the DVA) 26 VSDs work is not limited to GBV but covers victims of all types of violence. World Bank GBV Country Profile: JAMAICA Page 15 APPENDIX 2 – UN WOMEN: MEASURES AGAINST VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN (JAMAICA)27 https://evaw-global-database.unwomen.org/en/countries/americas/jamaica 27 UN Women. (n.d.). Global Database on Violence against Women. (n.d.). https://evaw-global-database.unwomen.org/fr/countries/americas/jamaica World Bank GBV Country Profile: JAMAICA Page 16 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: JAMAICA Page 17 REFERENCES — Intentional homicides (per 100,000 people) - Honduras | Data. (n.d.). https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/ VC.IHR.PSRC.P5?end=2020&locations=HN&most_recent_year_desc=true&start=1990&view=chartUNDP (2021). Human development reports. Jamaica. Retrieved from http://hdr.undp.org/en/countries/profiles/JAM — International Labour Organization (ILO), 2017. Women in Business and Management: Gaining Momentum in the Latin America and the Caribbean. ILO, Geneva — STATIN. (2020a). Population statistics. Retrieved from https://statinja.gov.jm/Demo_SocialStats/PopulationS- tats.aspx — STATIN. (2020b). Consumer price index. Retrieved from https://statinja.gov.jm/Trade-Econ%20Statistics/CPI/ NewCPI.aspx — STATIN. (2021). Labour force. 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