The Prosecutor’s Office is hosting a series of workshops on the issue of relational violence. In photo: Prosecutor’s Office senior legal officer Emily van Hees (standing, second right) speaks to police officers at the relational violence workshop last week. Story on page .
~ Prosecutor’s Office holds workshops with KPSM ~
PHILIPSBURG--There were 61 cases of relational violence last year, said the Prosecutor’s Office in a press release on Monday. This problematic trend has led the Prosecutor’s Office to host a series of workshops on the issue, the most recent of which were held with police officers at the Philipsburg police station on March 18-19.
“Handling relational violence cases and keeping the focus on this topic continue to be high priority at [the St. Maarten Police Force – Ed.] KPSM and [St. Maarten Prosecutor’s Office] OM SXM,” said the Prosecutor’s Office on Monday.
The Prosecutor’s Office said it prefers the term “relational violence” as opposed to “domestic violence” because the latter is limited to violence among people living in the same household. The former term is more inclusive, making space for acts such as stalking and threats.
The Prosecutor’s Office described the 61 cases recorded last year as “worrisome”. While the number of relational violence cases in 2018 and 2019 have not been disclosed, there have been indications that instances of relational violence increased over the past year.
Safe Haven Foundation director Vanessa Fraser told The Daily Herald earlier this month that the foundation – which operates a shelter for battered women and children – saw a surge of abuse cases during the pandemic.
The two workshops last week were a continuation of a series that started in November 2020. According to the Prosecutor’s Office, the goal is to create “more awareness, education and guidelines for dealing with relational violence cases by the police.”
“These workshops – crucial in tackling relational violence – targeted various departments within KPSM including its management, police-in-training and dispatch officers,” said the Prosecutor’s Office.
During the two workshops, Prosecutor’s Office representatives gave a talk to attendees about the prosecution side of relational violence cases, and what prosecutors need from police in such cases. Gender-based violence awareness trainer Cassandra Richardson gave a presentation about gender-based biases, while director Fraser outlined the services her foundation provides for victims of relational violence.
