Domestic Violence - Law Reform Commission
Domestic Violence
Description
Terms of Reference
The Commission undertook research aimed at strengthening the legislative framework governing domestic violence. This included a comparative review of domestic violence legislation in several jurisdictions, including the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Jamaica, and Saint Lucia, drawing on insights from both that review and the Committee’s recommendations.
Outcomes
On 12 October 2009, the Commission published, for consultation, a draft Domestic Violence Bill, 2009, together with a background paper titled “Protection Against Domestic Violence: Legislative Proposals”, which outlined the Bill’s key provisions.
The consultation period ran from 12 October 2009 to 20 November 2009, during which time the Commission received written submissions from a range of stakeholders.
On 31 March 2010, the Commission submitted its Final Report, “Protection Against Domestic Violence”, together with the Protection Against Domestic Violence Bill, 2010, to the Attorney General.
The Bill contained legislative proposals intended to strengthen the protective remedies available to specified categories of persons residing in a household who were, or might have become, exposed to domestic violence. To achieve this, the Bill repealed the Summary Jurisdiction (Domestic Violence) Act (1998 Revision) and expanded, and, in some instances, clarified the existing legislative framework.
The legislative framework of the Protection Against Domestic Violence Bill, 2010 covered the following areas:
a. the types of conduct constituting domestic violence;
b. the definition of a household residence;
c. the persons protected under the Bill;
d. the definition of a child;
e. the types of court orders available; and
f. who may initiate legal proceedings.
The Protection from Domestic Violence Bill, 2010, was passed by Parliament on 15 September 2010, received assent on 4 October 2010, and came into force on 25 October 2010.
