New domestic violence law to come into effect Monday

The amended Domestic Violence Act is to come into effect on Monday, with an increase in the penalty for breaches of protection orders. 

Gender Affairs Minister Olivia 'Babsy' Grange told Parliament on Tuesday afternoon that Governor General Sir Patrick Allen gave assent to the amended Act and that it is her intent to “bring the law as amended into effect on January 22”. 

The minister said through the legislation, the Holness Administration and Parliament have demonstrated a commitment to preventing and punishing acts of domestic violence. 

She said that the amendments will, among other things, allow the court to issue protection orders and impose a penalty of up to $1 million if the order is breached. 

This is a significant increase from the $10,000 penalty currently in place, Grange noted, while adding that a breach now attracts a sentence of up to one year in prison. 

“The protection orders are intended to guard against an array of potential harm from harassment to property damage. It is right, with the passage of time, that we now apply a more appropriate penalty that will serve as a deterrent to this very serious crime,” said Grange. 

She said under the new law, the categories of persons who can make an application for a protection order has increased. 

This includes the spouse or parent of an individual in respect of whom the threat has been made or is likely to be made. 

Additionally, under the amendments, the children's advocate now has the power to apply for a protection order where a child is threatened. 

“Additionally, the amended legislation will allow the minister for gender affairs to flexibly amend monetary policies. Let the word go out from here that we are serious about dealing with domestic abuse. A new day has come for protecting victims and increasing the punishment for perpetrators of domestic abuse,” said Grange. 

- Kimone Francis

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