Gender Minister Olivia Grange says the Bureau of Gender Affairs Gender-Based Violence Unit, through its helpline, has responded to 7,466 cases of gender-based violence to date.

Grange made the disclosure on Wednesday, November 29, at an event held by the Bureau of Gender Affairs to commemorate International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

“To date, the unit has dealt with 7,466 cases, with 5,227 females and 2,239 males. So, we are talking about helplines not just for women but the men always say why you leave us out but you are not left out because DSP Dylon, I saw her being interviewed and they’re saying they are getting more and more calls from men who are being abused by women,” she outlined.

The 24-hour toll-free helpline provides support to victims of gender-based violence and serves as the first line of contact for individuals affected by such forms of violence, providing victims with support based on their unique needs.

Grange further highlighted that it is critical to address these issues strategically to prevent men from being left behind.

“It is extremely important because sometimes the abuse that they perpetrate may be out of some kind of mental problem, it may be out of frustration, maybe there are those who are just violent but everybody deserves an opportunity to be reformed and certainly our work is important in saving lives because a man calling the helpline may just be that one call that prevented him from doing something there have been murder-suicides so we have to address this problem,” she added.

The gender minister also noted that the Gender-based Violence Unit has also fostered partnerships with the Jamaica Constabulary Force Victims Services Division, The Jamaica Fire Brigade, the Women’s Crisis Centre, the Ministry of Labour and Social Security and the Child Protection and Family Services Agency, to provide a coordinated response to address gender-based violence.