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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& #39;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& #39;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& #39;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& #39;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
