Third shelter for abused women completed

The Government has completed its third shelter for women experiencing abuse, fulfilling its commitment to establish three safe spaces across Jamaica that provide protection and comprehensive support.

Gender Minister Olivia Grange made the announcement during a recent tour of the facility, noting that it will provide women with more than temporary protection.

“It will also provide a space where they will transition from being in a safe space to being trained, given skills, and then transition out back into a normal life,” she said. Grange said completion of the facility represents significant progress in advancing the Government’s gender agenda by ensuring that safe spaces are available across the island.

Grange said the network of shelters will strengthen the country’s ability to respond when women are in danger, allowing the necessary support systems to be activated to move them into safe environments.

In addition to accommodation and protection, the shelters provide counselling and skills training to assist women in rebuilding their lives and transitioning back into independent living.

“We have adequate space that we can facilitate a family — mother and children,” she said, adding that the shelters have previously accommodated a mother and six children, as well as a pregnant woman who gave birth while residing at a shelter.

Grange expressed satisfaction that the establishment of the three shelters now provides islandwide coverage, supported by a network of organisations working together to assist women in situations of danger.

Deputy Prime Minister Dr Horace Chang, who chairs the Citizens Business Group, which oversees the Government’s social intervention efforts, said the shelter forms part of the Government’s target to establish three institutions for abused women.

“It (the initiative) has been a big part of our programme to seek to impact, in a positive way, a number of vulnerable communities in Jamaica and in particular, in this case women who have suffered abuse,” Chang said.

The facility is scheduled to be officially taken over on September 1 and will be staffed by that time. Grange said a further announcement will be made regarding the date on which the shelter will begin accepting members of the public.