Acting Prime Minister Stuart Young has called on the Opposition to support the Government’s plans to tackle domestic violence, noting that it may soon be brought to Parliament.
Speaking at an International Women’s Day event hosted by the Office of the Prime Minister on Friday, he emphasised the need for bipartisan support to implement stronger measures and protect the vulnerable from domestic violence.
“You see domestic violence, both with intimate partners and non-intimate partners, we are going to take on that scourge frontally. One of the things that I’ll be asking the Opposition in Parliament at the appropriate time to do is for us to increase the penalties and the sentencing for those who commit those heinous acts on our women.”
Mr. Young highlighted the importance of societal support and the role of legislation in combating domestic violence.
“We will implement via legislation stronger penalties and sentencing for those heinous crimes across the board. It is one of the first things that we will do. Also, providing more protection when women take the step of getting protection orders and not letting it just be a piece of paper. That is also something I intend for us to focus heavily on.”
The Acting Prime Minister also stressed the need for mental health support for perpetrators to address the root causes of domestic violence.
“I understand that many times the perpetrators of these heinous acts, it’s because mentally they don’t have the wherewithal to handle these situations, and that is not an excuse for them. But we must find ways to assist because that is the only way we will really begin to deal with this awful scourge that is not only creeping, but creeping a bit too fast for my liking in our society.”
He also called for a united effort from all sectors of society to combat domestic violence.
“The society needs to move with us and this morning I’d like to introduce this seed into the minds of society because the time has come. The time has come for us to take action now, and what are the things we can do as a society to make it known that this is unacceptable.”
The Acting Prime Minister said as the Government moves forward with its plans, the support of the Opposition and the wider society will be crucial in creating a safer environment for everyone.