IDB-CAFRA Suriname Domestic Violence Training Project

Policemen in Suriname are no longer hiding behind ancient traditions that said domestic violence is a private matter or that it is a man’s right to chastise his wife as he sees fit.

All of that is now in the past, thanks to a successful “Domestic Violence Training Program for Police and Social Workers.” The project, which provided training to 460 police officers, was funded by the IDB and executed by CAFRA Suriname in collaboration with the Suriname Police Force.

Implemented in three phases, the project comprised the following:

• a survey of institutions in Suriname providing support services to female victims of domestic violence (April-June 1998)

• a two-day regional workshop on “building a Culture of Human and Women’s Rights in the Caribbean” (June 1998)

• development of a training manual

• A one-day-Kick-off Congress, attended by 119 people (October)

• A Training-of-Trainers Workshop for 25 police officers, social workers and women’s rights activists (October 1998)

• Training of 460 police officers (November-December 1998)

• Training of 89 social workers (November-December 1998)

From all reports, officers who were exposed to the training program are now demonstrating a greater understanding of the problem of domestic violence.

One police station has asked for a special room to interview victims. At the Kwatta police station, there was a well-known case of abuse where the woman would be sent back home each time she complained. Now, with their new understanding, the police have helped the woman get a divorce.

According to Project Coordinator, Carla Bakboord, who is also the CAFRA National Representative, Suriname is a country where the issues of domestic violence has been ”neglected by the government”

One of the positive outcomes of the training is that police officers now have a manual on how to handle domestic violence cases and the issue of domestic violence is now part of the police curriculum.

Workshop participants are already calling for follow-up training to deal with victims of domestic violence and the perpetrators. The Attorney General is asking for training for prosecuting officers and judges.