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( Page 1) Issue of Importance to Caribbean Civilization 

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( Page 1) Issue of Importance to Caribbean Civilization 

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(Page 11) A problem of Regional Importance: Conclusion 

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(Page 11) A problem of Regional Importance: Conclusion 

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(Page 10) A problem of Regional Importance: Rape Part (3) 

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(Page 10) A problem of Regional Importance: Rape Part (3) 

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Gender-based violence, and in particular violence against women and girls (VAWG) is one of the most common forms of insecurity facing citizens in the Caribbean.

The Caribbean Human Development Report 2012 notes that "citizen insecurity has become an urgent challenge of human development in.... the Caribbean" with gender seen as "the strongest predictor of criminal behaviour and criminal victimization" (UNDP Caribbean Human Development Report 2012).

While traditional gendered roles inform male vulnerability to involvement in violence and organised crime, women and girls are made vulnerable to physical and sexual abuse. Citizen Security concerns are therefore manifest differently for men and boys and women and girls.

The UN Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women (1993) defines violence against women and girls as "Any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life".

Gender Based Violence (GBV) can also be defined as: Acts of physical, mental or social abuse (including sexual violence) that is attempted or threatened, with some type of force (such as violence, threats, coercion, manipulation, deception, cultural expectations, weapons or economic circumstances) and is directed against a person because of his or her gender roles and expectations in a society or culture. A person facing gender-based violence has no choice to refuse or pursue other options without severe social, physical, or psychological consequences. Forms of GBV include sexual violence, sexual abuse, sexual harassment, sexual exploitation, early marriage or forced marriage, gender discrimination, denial (such as education, food, freedom) and female genital mutilation. While men and boys can also suffer from GBV, women and girls as those overwhelmingly targeted for abuse.
(Extracted from the UN Women Virtual Knowledge Centre to End Violence against Women and Girls) Fear of Crime
According to the UNDP Caribbean Human Development Report on Citizen Security 2012, overall, women demonstrate higher levels of fear and also report gender differences in fear of crime in the Caribbean.

Women indicated higher levels of fear of sexual assault (30.4% compared to 11.1 % among men), of being killed (35.4 % compared to 32.8% among men), and of being beaten by a spouse or partner (11.5% compared to 8.6 % among men).

Women also self-reported that they had experienced domestic violence at higher rates than men.
Sexual Violence Rates in the Caribbean
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the World Bank report that at 30 per 100,000 population annually, the murder rates in the Caribbean are higher than for any other region of the world. In addition to high rates of homicide, assault rates are also significantly above average. In relation to incidence, this report states that according to the latest available data from the UNODC's Crime Trends Survey (CTS) based on police statistics, three of the top ten recorded rape rates in the world occur in the Caribbean. In addition, all countries in the Caribbean for which comparable data are available (Bahamas, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Jamaica, St. Kitts/Nevis, Dominica, Barbados, and Trinidad & Tobago) experienced a rate of rape above the unweighted average of the 102 countries in the CTS.

Rape Rates in the Caribbean and Comparison Countries

Source: Crime, Violence, and Development: Trends, Costs, and Policy Options in the Caribbean. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the World Bank 2007.

The problem of sexual violence against women and children as a specific form of Gender-based violence represents a fundamental violation of their human rights. The high incidence of sexual violence in some Caribbean countries is of particular concern as it is important to note that most incidents of rape and child sexual abuse are often not reported to state authorities. The 2007 World Bank and UNODC report "Crime, Violence, and Development: Trends, Costs, and Policy Options in the Caribbean" suggests that since rape is greatly under-reported globally, when a high incidence of rape is identified from official statistics (most often drawn from police records) this usually represents a serious problem.

In addition to the quantitative increases in rates of violence against women and girls in the region, media reports and discussions with organisations running shelters and hotlines indicate that there has also been a higher incidence of cruelty in violence against women such as strangulation, dismemberment, a larger number of under-aged victims and high rates of kidnapping and rape including gang rape.

Citizen Security
"Citizen Security may be regarded as a dimension of human security. The more overarching construct, human security is based on a fundamental understanding that governments retain the primary role for ensuring the survival, livelihood and dignity of their citizens". (UNDP Caribbean Human Development Report 2012)

A human development approach to citizen security re-conceptualizes security in a fundamental way by moving away from traditional, state-centric conceptions of security that focus primarily on the safety of states to one that focuses on the security of individuals, their protection and empowerment. This model emphasizes the importance of the complementarity between a focus on social inclusion and efficient and effective law enforcement and criminal justice processes to prevent crime and violence, and engages a broader range of actors including local communities, international organisations, civil society and the state. (United Nations Trust Fund for Human Security 2009)

Citizen security approaches too often fail to take gender into account and give limited consideration to gender based and sexual violence as "serious" citizen security issues in light of concerns related to drug interdiction and small arms control. Though direct links are not yet clearly understood, high levels of social violence and the proliferation of small arms exacerbate the climate in which women and girls are even more vulnerable to violence and sexual assault. In a number of CARICOM countries, female victims of reprisal killings along with increased familial responsibility due to absence of men are some of the wider impacts of criminal activity on women and girls.

Baseline studies on the Policing and Prosecution of Sexual Offences in the Caribbean
Baseline studies on the policing and prosecution of sexual offences were conducted in seven countries of the Caribbean region by UN Women's MCO Caribbean in collaboration with the Association of Caribbean Commissioners of Police. These studies served as an indicator of the response of justice and security sectors to gender-based violence and revealed deficiencies in the administration of justice for victims of sexual violence.

The studies revealed a steady increase in the number of cases of sexual assault in the judicial system. With one country reporting that the number of cases rose three times in ten years.

Sexual assault was noted as the least reported and often least prosecuted of all violent crimes. In spite of this however countries reported that sexual offences represented as much as 30% of all criminal offences over a two year period.

Deficiencies in the prosecution of sexual offences reported, relate to inadequacies in legislative provisions, poor police response and investigation, inadequacies in the collection of medical evidence including the absence of DNA analysis, delays in trial processes and inefficiencies in related administrative procedures.

Persons charged with sexual and domestic violence offences may be granted bail on application to the court. The baseline studies highlighted that the granting of bail to offenders may place victims at risk of increased violence, particularly in instances where protection orders are not applied or enforced.
The Case for GBV as a Citizen Security Concern
With global estimates that up to six out of ten women will experience physical or sexual violence in her lifetime. Violence against women remains one of the most widespread human rights violations yet one of the least prosecuted crimes.

Exceptionally low prosecution rates for sexual and gender based violence in the region reinforce cultures of impunity in addressing gender based violence.

Public confidence in state capacity to protect citizens and ensure justice is critical to an effective citizen security approach. Security and justice actors can play a key role in protecting women and girls from VAWG and in ensuring that survivors of VAWG can access justice and obtain redress.

In addition to the impact of GBV on the health and well-being of individuals, families and societies, the direct and indirect economic costs of GBV further highlight the importance of an incorporation of GBV into broader citizen security approaches and strategies.

Estimate of annual direct costs for households related to incidents of intimate partner violence includes:

direct costs resulting from harm to physical and mental health (including visits to ER, hospital stays, general medical attention, and psycho-social support and counselling services);

Social services costs (including shelters and counselling);

The judicial system (including Legal aid services and court fees);

The cost of police responding to violence against women (including time consumption of the police resources);

Prosecution and costs combined with specific salary and court outlays as well as the related costs for issuing and the enforcement of protection orders.

Costs of imprisonment

Estimates of indirect costs include income lost due to missed work or low productivity, loss of reproductive labour, impact on children's school performance and other longer term implications for children and victims including loss of property.
Prevention and Response
To ensure a comprehensive response to GBV, and to reduce its overall prevalence, it is therefore essential that countries in the Caribbean:

Implement and monitor the existing legal frameworks to combat gender-based violence in all its forms;

Ensure a strengthened response by the judicial and policing systems to combat impunity;

Ensure improved, coordinated response services for women and girls who have experienced violence; and

Significantly expand prevention efforts through an emphasis on addressing culturally sanctioned behaviours - including the complex issue of masculinities - which contribute to the perpetuation of violence against women and girls.

UN Women MCO Gender-Based Violence Programme
References

UN Women Virtual Knowledge Centre to end violence against women and girls.

http://www.endvawnow.org/en/

Crime, Violence, and Development: Trends, Costs, and Policy Options in the Caribbean. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the World Bank 2007.

UNDP Caribbean Human Development Report 2012. UNDP

Human Security in Theory and Practice; Application of Human Security Concept and the United Nations Trust Fund for Human Security. United Nations Trust Fund for Human Security 2009

Addressing Violence Against Women and Girls through Security and Justice Programming. Chase Guidance Note Series: Guidance Note 4. 2013

Latin America and Caribbean Regional Strategy on Women's Access to Justice 2011-2015.

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Our Work: Ending Violence against Women and Girls: Advocacy Brief

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Gender-based violence, and in particular violence against women and girls (VAWG) is one of the most common forms of insecurity facing citizens in the Caribbean. The Caribbean Human Development Report 2012 notes that "citizen insecurity has become an urgent challenge of human development in....

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(Page 9) A problem of Regional Importance: Rape Part (2) 

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(Page 9) A problem of Regional Importance: Rape Part (2) 

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BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Friday November 25, 2016 - Peta Aimey (pseudonym) is turning her worst nightmare into a fight for justice.

Mere weeks ago, Aimey was at home sound asleep with her children when the unthinkable happened. A man, whom she later discovered she knew, broke into her home and attempted to rape her at knifepoint. She luckily escaped after the intruder failed to get an erection.

"He didn't only try to invade my body; he invaded my mind and that is the worst part of it, because everytime I close my eyes, I keep seeing this man. His smell, everything about it, I can't get rid of it," she said in an emotional interview with Barbados Today online newspaper.

Still angered and scared, Aimey is now taking her fight for justice to authorities.

She is demanding that Barbados establish an official register of sex offenders, stressing that the justice system and society as a whole must get tough on rapists.

"They [authorities] should have a list of every man that ever raped a woman, every attempted rapist, every child molester, every man that touched a minor . . . They should have a list, their name, their picture out there, every time they do it. Once they are charged and the story is right, put them out there, let us know who they are," she appealed.

Aimey insists this approach can possibly prevent other women from being raped.

"How do we as women know about these men? They don't tell us about them. They go to court normal and then they are back on the street. How do we get to know he is sitting down on the block there with men drinking, smoking or whatever. Do they know that he is a rapist? Do they know that he attempted to rape someone? Do they know that he attempted to rape their sister, their mother, even their daughter?"

And she is not stopping there. Aimey passionately believes lawmakers must revise sexual offences laws, pointing out that while her attacker failed at sexual penetration, police and authorities downplayed her allegations of rape.

"How can you tell me that he didn't rape me? Because there was no penetration? He tried. It just didn't happen, it couldn't happen," she said.

She stressed that the justice system must improve its treatment of rape cases by dealing with them in a timely manner.

Aimey is already getting strong support from the local chapter of the Business and Professional Women's Club.

Club member Marlene Hewitt suggests a sex offender registry would be a great resource for women who may not be aware of the background of potential partners, as well as to help protect children from sexual predators.

"If you don't know about that person but you check the register and that person is on the register, you may know 'well, hey this is not someone that I want to be associated with' and you may even tell other women that this person is on the register."

Hewitt however advised that only people who have been convicted of sexual offences should appear on the list.

Click here to receive news via email from Caribbean360. (View sample)

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Victim Of Attempted Rape On Mission To Get Sex Offenders Registry In Barbados | Caribbean360

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BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Friday November 25, 2016 - Peta Aimey (pseudonym) is turning her worst nightmare into a fight for justice. Mere weeks ago, Aimey was at home sound asleep with her children when the unthinkable happened. A man, whom she later discovered she knew, broke into her home and attempted to rape her at knifepoint.

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(Page 8) A problem of Regional Importance: Rape Part (1) 

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(Page 8) A problem of Regional Importance: Rape Part (1) 

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Are societal attitudes and laws against rape in the Caribbean doing women a disservice? Trinidad and Tobago's attorney general set himself up for criticism last week in a speech to Parliament, where he warned women to be especially responsible during the Christmas and Carnival seasons because the use of date-rape drugs rises.

Presumably he intended to encourage women to be vigilant, but the public announcement meant that sexual predators were reminded about the availability of such drugs. Putting the onus of responsibility on the potential victims, rather than the perpetrators, also struck a sour note with many citizens.

Meanwhile, in Barbados, the Men's Education Support Association (MESA) actively lobbied for legislation in which fines would be imposed on women for making false accusations of sexual assault. According to the head of the organisation, schoolgirls regularly "tear off their clothes" and blame men for what-apparently inevitably-happens next.

The blog "Code Red," which regularly examines regional feminist issues, was not impressed with this reasoning, saying of the situation in Trinidad and Tobago:

Girls are either raping themselves, lying about rape, dressing immorally or failing to parang [folk music originating in Trinidad and Tobago that is popular around Christmas time] responsibly.

The [attorney general] conveniently did not mention what, if anything, the government planned to do to address rape, since by his own analysis it is a fact of life.

The blog also challenged MESA's reasoning:

In the Caribbean, a girl who is raped at age 12 can expect to see her case come to court when she is 20, that is, if the social stigma, family and community pressure have not already forced her and her family to discontinue the case. [...]

To argue that legislation should deter women and girls from reporting crimes against them is not in men's interest. It is in the interest of rapists.

We are left with empty advice. Rapists' interests confused as men's interests. A relentless culture of misogyny that is literally costing us our lives.

Unfortunately, the misogyny cited above is pervasive throughout the Caribbean. Just last month, a Jamaican parliamentarian was criticised on social media for a flippant quip about rape during a debate about a proposed flexi-work bill. When a female senator made the point that women leaving work after dark could be at higher risk for sexual assault, Minister AJ Nicholson saw it fit to make a joke.

The laws are also skewed against women when it comes to sexual assault. Some groups are trying to do what they can to push back. Earlier in the year, this Guyana-based human rights NGO promoted an online petition to get the marital rape laws changed:

#Petition: #Caribbean Community- #CARICOM- Leaders, Change marital #rape laws and build more shelters for survivors: http://t.co/XP2JAWNl3L

- SASOD Guyana (@SASODGuyana) February 12, 2014

A few months later, another Twitter user drew attention to the rape of children in state institutions and the response of one politician who said that "girls are no angels"-a typical "blame the victim" reaction:

#rape of children in state care in #Caribbean. #jamaica #Guyana politician says girls are no angels! #vaw #catchafyah http://t.co/PthRD3KPLi

- tonya@CODE_RED (@redforgender) April 24, 2014

Code Red blog cites research in the United Kingdom that indicates as many as two-thirds of rape allegations are dismissed without going to trail, thanks to a host of common "criteria," such as claims of disability, mental illness, being in a relationship with the attacker, consuming drugs or alcohol before the attack, and so on. The head researcher in the UK, Betsy Stanko, concluded that "rather that seeing these women and girls as unreliable witnesses, police investigators need to take a person's vulnerability as evidence that they are more likely to be raped and investigate whether that vulnerability was exploited by the suspect."

Trends in the Caribbean are no better. Code Red says the region's "rates of investigation, trial and conviction in cases of rape and sexual assault are extremely low." In Guyana, where there are on average 140 reported cases of rape, "in the years 2012 and 2013, only 22 cases had enough evidence to go to court and none resulted in a conviction, even with the Sexual Offenses Act in 2012." That works out to an average conviction rate of 1.4 percent:

This year it was reported that Guyana did not have enough rape kits. In other cases rape did not even get investigated until women took to the streets in protest.

Popular perceptions could be changing, however. Judging from this letter to the editor, some Guyanese women are no longer prepared to accept the status quo:

We are tired of paper rights. We are tired of being abused, violated and not being able to get justice. [...] We are tired of being ignored as our lives and the lives of our families grow more and more dangerous from all forms of violence including sexual violence. We are most of all tired of the hypocrisy, deception, lies, corruption, ignorance and 'eye pass'. We are sick and tired of the wasteful and empty consultations and empty promises. We know the truth, and the truth is: in this dear land of Guyana, women and children pass for grass.

Well no more! We are not prepared to accept that there is no money for comprehensively addressing the scourge of sexual violence.

Guyanese activists are demanding urgent action to address the threats to women, including the dismissal of the attorney general and chief justice, for their alleged poor judgement in matters relating to sexual offenses. Activists are also calling for the establishment of properly funded institutions within the justice system "armed with progressive human rights based policies to support and secure justice for victims of sexual violence."

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Does the Caribbean Have a Rape Culture? · Global Voices

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Are societal attitudes and laws against rape in the Caribbean doing women a disservice? Trinidad and Tobago's attorney general set himself up for criticism last week in a speech to Parliament, where he warned women to be especially responsible during the Christmas and Carnival seasons because the use of date-rape drugs rises.

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For this aspect of the portfolio I chose to look at Barbados

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Barbados: Age of Discovery – Historical Influences

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In the Age of Discovery, tobacco was king and indentured servants from Britain were amongst the first to toil the fields of Barbados but they soon fell victim to tropical diseases. When the bottom fell out of the tobacco market, sugar took over and a new source of labour was found - African slaves.

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(Page 6) Social Environment as it relates to Demographic Diversity

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(Page 6) Social Environment as it relates to Demographic Diversity

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With these four clips of different festivals or carnivals through out the Caribbean one can see that though some are different and others are quite the same they stand for many different things. The history of all four of these festivals differ.
"Jonkonnu" was started to celebrate the Prince that frightened slave traders and owners, "Crop Over" was started to celebrate the end of the sugar cane crop  season, "Jab Jab" was started as social commentary to offend slave owners and Trinidad's carnival was started as a period of celebration from Christmas to Ash Wednesday.
All very different but show the the need for celebration in the Caribbean and how Caribbean people like to remember their history, where they have come from and celebrate either leaving it behind or embracing what once was.

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Before emancipation, slaves were forbidden to participate in Carnival, but this never stopped their backyard mas. After the end of slavery, gangs of recently liberated slaves, covered in black grease, molasses, or varnish, took to the streets, and rejoiced in their freedom. Scantily dressed, and sometimes with chains and padlocks around their legs, the former slaves attempted to offend polite society.

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Real Jab Jab Band Jouvert Morning Carriacou & PM Carnival

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Songs by Terra Kid - Go Mammi Synnah - Jab On Sesame Street Loose Cannon - Sick Jab Bigred & Melo ft Kc & Scout - No behavior Muddy - Cranial Disease

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The French developed this festival as a period of celebration from Christmas to Ash Wednesday. Originally three days but because of religious reasons reduced to two.

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Carnival is Here - Trinidad and Tobago Carnival 2016

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So for this Carnival I returned to town. With my camera in my hand and drone in tow. This year, I quietly observed my surroundings and captured the happiness and excitement in and around our annual Carnival celebrations. http://kensambury.com/carnival-is-here/ Carnival for me is freedom.

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Barbados Crop Over. This festival began as a way to celebrate the end of the sugar production process.

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Barbados Crop Over 2016 Kadooment - uncut CLTV

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Come enjoy the beauty of Crop Over. Here you will see the vibrant ocean of colours flowing down the road on this Kadooment Day. Many bands to experience, so we captured most. Baje, Jump, Kontact, Xhosa, Fantasy, Aura, Zulu, Krave and more. If you like SUBSCRIBE and SHARE with your friends.

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Jamaica Festival Jonkonnu/ Jonkanoo .
He was a Prince and a slave trade, he was said to have outwitted the British in the 17th century and taken control of a fort. He terrified the British and Dutch slave traders and so became a hero of the slaves.

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Kingstons South West St Andrew Jonkunu Group Dancing To Dancehall Music

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Traditional dancers at Christmas in Ocho Rios, Jamaica

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Map of the Caribbean