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1/ @Delroychuckjm inappte comment in JSC on Thurs is reflective of an approach we women often see and hear especially among older men, but not exclusively so at all. We have a wider problem as a society - in fact, pointed out by @Delroychuckjm later in the very same cttee meeting.
2/Beyond legislation, broader action is also needed for all actors in society to first appreciate the problem & then to work at correction. One of the aims of the JSC promoted by @Babsy_grange was to allow for broader u/standing of harrassment. I hope this oppty is not lost.
3/Despite its pervasiveness, too many people - men & women unfortunately, do not understand the parameters of harrassment and how it affects women daily. If I had to find a silver lining I would say there is an opportunity to harness the anger and outrage directed @Delroychuckjm
4/And to leverage it to call for a lifting of the discussion including a sensitization campaign. While @MCGESJamaica @Babsy_grange has been conducting sensitization sessions with pub and priv employers and discussions take place in the committee, there is more to be done.
5/ Eg. many don't understand that this Bill is to deal with harrassment in the domain of employment - to protect women on the job. Criminal harrassment - the kind that is more akin to stalking - will be in the amendments proposed to the Offences Against the Persons Act (OAPA)
6/This is also very different to the f/work for sexual abuse, rape and other sexual violence - crimes provided for in the SOA, & in respect of which charges are not ltd by time at all.This Bill is to give to J'can women at work & in instns, civ protection like others in the world
7/There is also a need for sensitization w/in the @JamaicaConstab . Progress has been made with its u/standing of domestic violence (more still needed) but this issue is also impt- many don't view harrassment as assault even if it rises to that level-stronger penalties needed too
8/In the current context, women find great difficulty in reporting harrassment -and assault for that matter. I trust someone will also explain this to Horace Dalley.
9/So in summary, we need
1.OAPA amendment to include stalking etc and increased penalties for assault (already recommended by JSC on SOA)
2. Sensitization of @JamaicaConstab
3. Sensitization of Parliamentarians on what harrassment is- i suggest in private w/ victim experiences.
1.OAPA amendment to include stalking etc and increased penalties for assault (already recommended by JSC on SOA)
2. Sensitization of @JamaicaConstab
3. Sensitization of Parliamentarians on what harrassment is- i suggest in private w/ victim experiences.
10/...4. A public ed & sensitization campaign in parallel with the JSC. @Babsy_grange is on this but @mcges could bring forward.Not to deal with the terms of the Bill as yet, but for u/standing of what is uncomfortable for many women & why.Try to influence cultural change
11/I am glad @Delroychuckjm has apologized, and I get and agree with the legitimate outrage expressed, but if we focus on him instead of the broader issue, I believe we might misdirect energies and miss the opportunity for action.
12/ And just by the way - specifically for the fake political outrage grouping, (NOT everybody else legitimately concerned) the 12 month limitation was inherited by us from the PNP's Bill tabled by PSM and exists elsewhere in the world (gen 12 - 24 mths), but is not yet agreed.
13/I really hope the discussion generated will help unpack the difference between civil protection on the job /institution & where the balance lies to have an appte and protective framework v unlimited time for broader crim harrassment. I know the Ministers are on this
