Intimate Partner Violence in Jamaica

Abstract

This study provides descriptive statistics on women who access the services of the Women's Crisis Centre, a nongovernmental organization in Kingston, Jamaica, whose mission is to provide 24-hour counseling and shelter for women who are the victims of domestic violence. Questionnaires were completed by the center's trained staff at the close of a counseling session with adult women who accessed the services of the center between September 1 and November 30, 1999. This study analyzed 187 questionnaires for which the perpetrator of the incident was a male intimate partner. The sample was fairly homogeneous demographically. Results revealed a high level of physical injury (89%, n = 166) and a low level of reporting violent incidents to the police (26%, n = 42). Although 75% (n = 123) sought medical care, women first turned for assistance to pastors and counselors. Multisectoral support to strengthen and expand the services of the Women's Crisis Centre is recommended.