Extended periods of quarantine and stay-at-home orders and stressors brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic have seen gender based violence soar in many countries around the world, and Jamaica is no exception.
Even before the crisis, about one in three women in Jamaica has experienced physical and/or sexual violence by an intimate partner or a non-partner during her life.
The Ministry of Health and Wellness (MoHW) has established a COVID-19 hotline manned by volunteers that fields thousands of calls from people seeking information and guidance on matters relating to COVID-19.
Seizing on an opportunity to reach women at risk of gender based violence (GBV) in Jamaica in this challenging time, PAHO collaborated with MoHW to train a new cadre of volunteers in GBV awareness and prevention as part of their orientation process.
Using the LIVES acronym, which stands for Listen, Inquire, Validate, Enhance safety and Support, the training built the capacity of the helpline team to be sensitive to cues that callers give to suggest that they may be experiencing GBV.
An updated crisis support manual is currently being finalized to include all relevant resources and agencies available to persons in need. The manual will guide helpline operators, and others in contact with woman at risk of GBV, to the available referral options to better support persons in need.