Statia Government: Domestic Violence and Child Abuse Workshop.

The implementation date for new regulations to combat domestic violence and child abuse will now take effect one year later than previously planned. The Domestic Violence and Child Abuse Protection Code, designed to assist professionals in recognising domestic violence and child abuse, will now be implemented on 1 January 2025. The ministry of health, welfare, and sports initiative, which provides guidelines on how to correctly deal with domestic violence and child abuse, was initially scheduled to come into force at the start of this year.

However, Regioplan, the Dutch organisation contracted by the ministry to assist Statia, along with Saba and Bonaire, in implementing the code, continues to engage local organisations that work with children, adults, and the elderly in preparation for the implementation of the code.

Regioplan’s Romy van Dungen and Marjon Tijl met with the organisations on 21 March to further discuss the implementation of the code, including what these organisations need to effectively execute it and the specific training they require. The session was led by Ereina Hunt-Gorden, domestic violence and abuse family support coordinator.