NGOs don't want to run state domestic violence shelters

FAITH-based organisations (FBOs) and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have declined to run new shelters for victims of domestic violence being built by the State, said Leader of Government Business in the Senate Clarence Rambharat.

He was responding to a question in the Senate on Tuesday about what is being done to increase the number of shelters, given reports showing the inadequacy of the existing ones.

Rambharat said Government has recognised domestic violence as a critical issue, and the two most important measures taken have been critical amendments to the Domestic Violence Act, which were laid by the Attorney General, and the passage last week of the Electronic Monitoring Bill, the latter sparking a lot of debate about the use of devices with victims and alleged perpetrators.

He added that the use of electronic monitoring can minimise the need for shelters, but there will be times when victims need to be in shelters for their safety.

He reported that since 2017 Government has been trying to get two centres ready (one in Ste Madeleine and the other whose location he would have to provide later in writing) and there have been five tender processes to procure NGOs to run the facilities.

He explained that successive governments have not wanted public officers at these facilities ,but all five attempts failed. He said most recently the decision was made to staff the facilities with public officers.

Opposition Senator Wade Mark asked why the NGOs declined to take responsibility for them.

Rambharat replied that there were two reasons: firstly, FBOs have found the services very complex and way beyond the services they provide; and secondly legislative changes (likely the Non-Profit Organisation Bill passed in April last year) have made such work very onerous on FBOs and NGOs, especially the legal liabilities for operators.

"All of them have not been interested in providing their services."