KINGSTON Jamaica — Minister of Gender Olivia Grange is calling on all Jamaicans to work toward ending violence against women and girls.

“We can end the violence, but it requires all of us to end the violence. Each of us has a role to play,” she said.

Grange was speaking in Parliament on Tuesday in the wake of a demonstration by nurses against the attack on one of their colleagues.

READ: ‘No excuse for violence’: Nurses protest following attack on colleague

Last week, a businessman was allegedly seen in a viral video assaulting a nurse while clutching his firearm.

Sixty-five-year-old Robert Bell was later arrested and charged with assault occasioning bodily harm; assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm; assault at common law; possessing a firearm with intent to commit a first schedule offence; and possession of a firearm with intent to cause injuries in relation to the incident.

He was denied bail when he appeared in court on Wednesday.

READ: Bail denied for accused nurse beater

Addressing Parliament on Tuesday, Grange said: “I encourage all of us to do something to end the violence in our country. The violence is not inevitable and it can be stopped. We have seen the dramatic and welcome decrease in all crimes, including murders, in our country. This gives me hope as we continue our mission to end violence against women and girls.”

She welcomed the advocacy and expressions of the Nurses Association of Jamaica, the Jamaica Midwives Association, the Enrolled Nurses Association, all health professionals and others who participated in the Walk Against Violence Towards Women and Girls.

“We joined them to commiserate, and to express our commitment to protecting women, punishing perpetrators of violence, and ending the violence,” she said.

“I know the House will also join me in expressing solidarity with the victims and their families, friends, and communities — and also in condemning, in the strongest sense, the despicable violence committed against them.”

Grange said that the Government had brought a raft of policy and legislative initiatives to deal with the violence in all its forms and that more strengthening of the laws is coming to include stronger and more appropriate penalties.

She added that a Joint Select Committee of Parliament had been meeting to review and consider further amendments to the Domestic Violence Act. The public was invited to make submissions which have now been compiled. The committee will meet over the next two months to complete the overhaul of the Act.

Additionally, the Government has increased funding for psychosocial support to victims and survivors.

The minister said there has been more training for police officers and first responders, especially in health facilities and emergency services, and the Jamaica Constabulary Force has established 10 Domestic Violence Intervention Centres that are managed by police officers who are trained to intervene through a variety of methods including home visits, referrals and counselling.

“We have two state-run shelters for vulnerable women and their children, with a third centre to be completed soon. These shelters have been safe havens for women who benefit from counselling and training to increase their economic options,” Grange added.

The public education campaign “No Excuse for Abuse” will also be intensified to make the public more aware of the Government’s support initiatives and programmes.

“Let the Advocacy Walk Against Violence Towards Women and Girls not only be symbolic but a call to sustained action. Let us all – men and women – rise with one voice to say: Enough is enough,” the minister said.