The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), through its Domestic Violence Intervention Centres (DVICs), in collaboration with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and other regional and international partners, is building the capacity of Jamaica’s first responders to use data to address domestic and sexual violence.

The three-day data analytics workshop, which ended on Wednesday, was delivered under the IDB’s ONE Caribbean regional programme.

The workshop was designed to strengthen the capacity of first responders and key stakeholders to prevent and respond to domestic and sexual violence through data-driven decision-making and enhanced collaboration.

Throughout the three days, participants examined trends and patterns identified through the JCF’s DVICs and the Jamaica Injury Surveillance System (JISS), with a focus on improving prevention strategies, resource allocation, referral pathways, and inter-agency coordination.

In his opening remarks, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Warren Clarke championed the partnerships between the JCF’s DVICs, regional and international law enforcement agencies, and other stakeholders, emphasising the importance of a unified response to domestic and sexual violence.

“Domestic and sexual violence is a serious issue affecting many people in our society, and it knows no boundaries. Neither should our response,” said Clarke.

He also commended the work of the men and women serving in the DVICs, recognising their commitment to supporting victims and strengthening the JCF’s response to domestic and sexual violence.

Echoing this message Jason Wilks, senior sector specialist for public management at the IDB, described the workshop as the beginning of a broader collaborative effort.

“This workshop is the beginning of an ongoing conversation. Through collaboration and shared knowledge, we can develop effective strategies to better address domestic and sexual violence,” said Wilks.

Similarly, Charles Katz, director of the Centre for Violence Prevention and Community Safety at Arizona State University, highlighted the critical role of research and data analysis in shaping more effective responses to domestic violence.

Matthew Duran, research assistant at the Centre for Violence Prevention and Community Safety, speaking with Constable Florence Lewis, manager for the Domestic Violence Intervention Centre in Clarendon, at the start of a three-day data analytics workshop designed to build the capacity of Jamaica’s first responders to use data in addressing domestic and sexual violence.

He noted that the workshop provided an opportunity to examine existing systems and develop practical approaches that support both immediate interventions and long-term prevention efforts.

“Our goal is to use data to better understand the issues, improve our response, and develop a guidebook that can support Jamaica and the wider Caribbean,” Katz said.

The first day also featured a candid discussion between participants and facilitators, during which law enforcement representatives from participating countries shared insights into the effectiveness of their domestic violence units, the challenges they face, and the strategies being implemented to strengthen their responses.

A key component of the workshop was a presentation by Dr Elizabeth Ward, head of the Violence Prevention Alliance at the Centre for Violence Prevention and Community Safety at Arizona State University.

Drawing on regional data, she highlighted the scale of intimate partner violence across Jamaica and the wider Caribbean.

“Up to one in three persons in the Caribbean has experienced intimate partner violence,” Ward said.

Referring to Jamaica’s 2024 domestic violence data, Ward noted that “approximately 73,000 people were affected. We need to remember the individuals behind these large numbers”.

The data also revealed that more than 6,700 violence-related injuries were recorded, including approximately 1,000 cases of intimate partner violence and nearly 900 incidents of family violence.

“Females account for 58 per cent of all violence-related injuries, while males account for 42 per cent. Intimate partner violence primarily affects women, with females representing about 75 per cent of victims. Family violence, however, shows the opposite trend, with males accounting for approximately 64 per cent of victims,” she explained.

Ward also acknowledged the vital role of the health sector, expressing appreciation to health-care workers across Jamaica’s hospitals for their continued efforts in collecting data that strengthens research and supports more effective prevention and intervention strategies.