Addressing gender based violence issues

Crime Stoppers Dominica is seeking to increase the public’s knowledge on gender-based violence issues thereby empowering communities to speak up on such cases of abuse using an easy, confidential and accessible reporting system through a national project.

Incidences of gender-based violence remain a societal concern for developing economies like Dominica. There is need to increase the knowledge of the public on the Sexual Offenses Act, the unlawfulness of child abuse, domestic violence, underage sex, voyeurism, and sexual grooming, as well as avenues through which incidences of gender-based violence can be reported in a manner which is confidential as a first step towards assisting those affected. When members of the public fail to report cases of abuse, such actions by abusers will persist.  Crime Stoppers Dominica exists to provide a means for the public to report crime while protecting their identities. Therefore, this project hopes to counteract the pattern of “remaining silent”, by promoting an alternative medium for reporting through a confidential reporting system, toll-free.

The objective of this project is to support the empowerment of those vulnerable to various forms of crime particularly gender-based, through awareness, education and training. It is expected that the project will inspire a level of responsibility amongst the population, and advance the call on everyone to “act” by reporting cases of gender-based violence, violation of women and girls and in so doing, help curb this social ill.

The project, which is being sponsored by the Canada Fund For Local Initiatives (CFLI), will comprise the production of jingles featuring Jingle Jam Entertainment to be broadcasted via social media, airing of public service announcements on radio, the publication of advertisements on print media, installation of billboards and hosting of community forums.

How Crime Stoppers Works

If you have information on any type of criminal activity:

• Call toll free1-800-TIPS [8477] and give the operator the information or go online at crimestoppersdominica.org and click the “Submit Tip” button.  Do not give your name.   

• Your call is answered by a professionally trained attendant at a call center outside of Dominica.  The call is free; it is confidential and there is no caller ID.  The information is then transmitted to the police who proceeds to take the necessary action.

Remember Crime Stoppers Dominica is not the police.  The organisation is a non-profit entity that provides a confidential crime reporting service that allows a member of the public to report crime and remain anonymous.