Trelawny Police Record 94 Domestic Violence Cases, August Peak at 34

Trelawny's police division logged 94 domestic violence cases from January to September, with 68 falling in the third quarter. August alone recorded 34 incidents — the highest monthly figure this year.

Trelawny Domestic Violence Surge: 68 of 94 Cases Logged in Third Quarter

Trelawny's police division has recorded 94 domestic violence cases between January and September, with 68 of those clustered in the final three months of that period, radiojamaicanewsonline.com reports. August registered the sharpest spike, accounting for 34 cases — the highest monthly total so far this year.

Superintendent Velonique Campbell, commander of the Trelawny police division, described the third-quarter surge as a grave problem requiring an intensified response. "Of course, this uptick in the third quarter is of major concern to the division, and that is why we are going to improve and increase our initiative targeting this very sensitive issue," Campbell said Wednesday at an anti-domestic violence pop-up clinic held at Water Square in Falmouth.

The monthly breakdown shows a dramatic escalation as the year progressed. January recorded eight cases; February and March each had three; April had one; May had seven; and June had four. July then brought 11, August 34, and September 23.

Despite the surge, Campbell said 84 of the 94 cases have been resolved, placing the division's resolution rate at 89 per cent. "The remaining 10 cases, of course, we have been working on them assiduously to bring these matters to a closure," she assured.

Campbell outlined a multi-pronged strategy to curb the problem, combining police investigations with public education, counselling, and community-based prevention. She placed particular emphasis on encouraging victims to come forward before situations turn deadly. "We must encourage persons experiencing abuse to talk up, talk up, because too often we wait until somebody gets seriously injured, or somebody dies," she said. She also called on bystanders who know of ongoing abuse to step in and help connect victims with support services.

The pop-up clinic, organised by the police force's Trelawny Community Safety and Security Branch, drew representatives from the Peace Management Initiative, the Health Services Department, the Child Protection and Family Services Agency, the Victim Support Department, the National Council on Drug Abuse, and Restorative Justice, among others. Placards at the event carried messages including "Peace, No Violence", "Talk It Out, Walk It Out", and "Respectful Love".

Trelawny Fire Department Superintendent Roland Walters pledged the Jamaica Fire Brigade's continued support, framing domestic violence as a shared responsibility. "We have to walk hand-in-hand with the Jamaica Constabulary Force. Whatever they are doing, the Jamaica Fire Brigade is on board to support," Walters said. He described domestic violence as a reality affecting both women and men, and made a specific appeal to male victims to speak out and seek help before tensions escalate further.

Falmouth Mayor Councillor C Junior Gager also endorsed the initiative on behalf of the municipality. "We will do what we can to make sure that everyone lives like brothers and sisters," Gager said, adding praise for the officers involved. "We also want to say a big, big-up to the hard-working policemen and women of Trelawny who have been doing a very, very excellent job," he said.

Source: Google News JM — Crime