KINGSTON, Jamaica – Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Olivia Grange has announced that the Government has acquired property for the establishment of the first State-run national shelter for victims and survivors of gender-based violence (GBV).

The property in rural Jamaica was purchased through the National Land Agency and handed over to the ministry, a press release revealed today.

“The national shelter will accommodate victims and survivors of GBV and their children. It will also offer basic necessities, counselling and other forms of psycho-social support. This is in keeping with the National Strategic Action Plan to eliminate gender-based violence, which recommends providing adequate shelters to protect victims of GBV,” Grange said.

“The shelter will enable more victims across the country to leave a violent situation, to recuperate, to regain their independence and be empowered to avoid future abuse,” she added.

Grange explained that, “the location of the property is not being disclosed in keeping with the confidential clause of the Draft National Shelter Strategy. The property was purchased as part of the Jamaica 55 Legacy Project, which commits establishment of three satellite shelters in rural Jamaica, and one shelter in Corporate Area.

The shelter will to be renovated and will be operationalised through a public-private partnership agreement with the Woman Inc, Grange said.