UPR Sexual Rights Database

National Report:
Para 43) Domestic violence is the most common form of gender-based violence which predominantly affects women and girls. Within the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis, several institutions and agencies are involved in providing service to victims of domestic violence, facilitating the report of incidents to the relevant authorities.
Para 44) Through assistance from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), The Domestic Violence and Sexual Violence Complaints and Response Protocol was launched in November, 2018. The policy educates key stakeholders in the healthcare, education, childcare, social support, legal and criminal justice system sectors and provides guidelines for training on the appropriate procedures to follow when a crime of this nature materializes. It addresses first response procedures, best practices for law enforcement, emergency and medical services, social services, victim advocacy and legal action. The Department of Gender Affairs has held various sensitization workshops, consultations and panel discussions, aimed at increasing the awareness of stakeholders about this Response Protocol and its use throughout 2019. Para 45) Saint Kitts and Nevis is also an avid participant of the annual 16-day campaign on Violence against Women and Girls. The 16-Day Campaign which was observed in the Federation from November 25 to December 10, 2019 was designed to demonstrate solidarity with survivors of domestic and gender-based violence, raise awareness, prevent the occurrence wherever possible, and advocate for relief and justice for the victims.
Para 46) In 2018, the Special Victims Unit (SVU) relocated to a more conducive, safe and comfortable space for victims to report incidents of sexual violence without fear of reprisals. In addition, the Department of Gender Affairs in partnership with several faith-based organisations, provide financial support and temporary shelters for victims of domestic violence who have no alternate housing solution. This rental allowance covers a period of three months.
Para 47) Different public campaigns were also lead by the Ministry of Gender Affairs which featured primarily on popular call-in radio programmes. Guest panelists included staff from the Special Victims Unit of the Royal Saint Christopher and Nevis Police Force, and the National Men’s Council.
Para 48) Collaboration with the Ministry of Education resulted in the involvement of primary school children in public service announcements to condemn domestic violence and promote a kinder, gentler society; and secondary school children in public awareness raising activities, such as marches and street theatre.
Para 83) … the Ministry [of Social Services] has a directory of private lawyers who have indicated an interest in providing pro-bono services to victims of domestic violence.

National Report:
Para 74) A Special Victims Unit was created within the Royal Saint Christopher and Nevis Police Force (RSCNPF) on 1 April, 2012, to deal with issues including domestic violence and child abuse, among others. On the island of Nevis, there are four police officers from the Special Victims Unit, which is linked to the Department of Social Services. According to reports, with the establishment of the Special Victims Unit, in the case of rape, reporting to authorities has "increased significantly".

Para 75) The Government offers counselling to victims of abuse and trains police, nurses, guidance counsellors and other government employees on domestic and gender violence.

Para 76) The Department of Gender Affairs in collaboration with the Police the government carried out public campaigns against sexual violence, through churches and workplaces, on radio, and amongst civil society.

Para 77) The Department of Gender Affairs has made available three general hotline numbers for persons seeking assistance for themselves or others with respect to domestic violence.

Para 92) The Domestic Violence Act 2014 enabled the Government through the Department of Gender Affairs to heighten awareness relating to teenage pregnancy, sexual education and violence against women and children.

Para 93) This legislation against child abuse, domestic violence classifies sexual violence, rape and incest as serious offences and establish appropriate penalties for the perpetrators, including relatives of the victim.

Para 94) The Domestic Violence Act 2014 further enabled the Government to adopt policies and legislation to combat discrimination and violence against women and children, particularly domestic and sexual violence.

Para 101) Under the Offences Against the Person (Amendment) Act, 2012, rape is recognized as a criminal Act, rape is recognized as a criminal act, liable to penalties under the law. The maximum penalty for rape is life imprisonment.

UN Compilation:
Para 20) The subregional team noted that the Government was currently debating an amended Domestic Violence Bill 2014, which had had a second reading before Parliament, but that its adoption was still pending.

Stakeholder Summary:
Para 4) JS2 recognized the efforts of Saint Kitts and Nevis in signing and committing to the following Conventions and international instruments: ... The Inter-American Convention on the Prevention, Punishment and Eradication of Violence a The Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women;

Para 28) JS2 stated that in August 2014 the government had sought to amend the Domestic Act now retitled "The Domestic Violence Bill" (2014) which was still in draft form, and mentioned that one of the key provisions of this bill was the promotion of economic independence for victims in abusive relationships. JS2 also reported that Saint Kitts and Nevis had made remarkable strides in empowering women through awareness campaigns, programs and policy development, a work executed largely by the Department of Gender Affairs which included training for police, nurses and counselors.

National Report:
Para 25) Saint Lucia has signed and ratified the two optional protocols to the CRC namely the OP-CRC-SC (2013) and OP-CRC-AC (2014).