Domestic violence workshop in the Upper Corentyne
Eradicating domestic violence in the Upper Corentyne, was the main topic of a workshop conducted by the Number 68 Village Roadside Baptist Church Skills-training Centre in collaboration with the Help and Shelter organisation. The human development programme focused on identifying symptoms of domestic violence and its effects on victims and family members. It also equipped volunteers with counselling skills to attend to victims of all forms of abuse. The programme under the theme, "Domestic Violence Awareness and Training on the Domestic Violence Act", forms part of the sponsors' outreach programme to eliminate anti-social activities in the targeted area. Participants at the sessions freely voiced their concerns against the behaviour and its negative effect on persons in the home environment. They emphasised the need for women to be educated on the Domestic Violence Act and appealed for the establishment of a facility to effectively address the issue. Participants also pledged their full support and commitment to move collectively in an effort to eradicate the scourge. Programme Coordinator, Ms Nalini Katrayan reported that social problems are prevalent in the Corentyne, noting that alcohol abuse is the major cause. She supported the call for the establishment of a distress centre and advocated the eradication of such undesirable tendencies. The two-day seminar, which concluded last Monday, was attended by 25 participants drawn from the public and private sectors, religious organisations and women's groups. The Building Community Capacity Project (BCCP) will sponsor a follow-up programme on analysing the causes of suicide and its prevention on August 29, at the same venue. (Arjune Poonai)  Follow the goings-on in Guyana
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