By Anthony Henry

The Legal Aid Council (LAC) says about 90 per cent of legal requests it receives from members of the public are for divorce, with many of those matters rooted in experiences of domestic abuse.

The disclosure was made by Executive Director of the Legal Aid Council Dian Watson, during opening remarks at the First Responders Training in Understanding Gender-Based Violence, on January 27 at the Four Seasons Hotel through a partnership between the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport (MCGES) and the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs (MJCA).

Watson said many clients do not initially reveal abuse when seeking legal help.

“Most people who seek consultations from the LAC come to us about divorce. Very often, when they first approach us, they do not immediately disclose that domestic violence is the underlying issue. It is only after trust is established that these experiences are shared,” she explained.

One such client is Megan, who said she was in a 27-year relationship before finally securing a divorce.

According to Megan, the relationship effectively ended 15 years ago after she discovered her husband had gotten another woman pregnant. When she confronted him, she said he assaulted her so severely that she was left partially blind in her left eye.

She told Our Today that her relatives, friends and co-workers encouraged her to leave, but her church community urged her to stay.

“My church never believed in divorce. The only encouragement I got there was to pray that one day he would stop abusing me,” she said.

Financial hardship also kept her in the marriage, as she struggled to raise children and could not afford legal fees. She recalled another violent incident triggered by what she described as an innocent text message, during which neighbours had to intervene.

Megan said she was eventually advised to seek legal guidance from the Legal Aid Council, where she learned about the divorce process and was able to move forward.

Watson said gender-based violence remains a serious issue affecting individuals, families and communities, requiring a coordinated and sensitive response across the justice system.

The training session targeted 40 empanelled Legal Aid attorneys and justice sector personnel. It focused on strengthening understanding of the legislative framework addressing gender-based violence, the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s response to domestic violence, and strategies for prevention and elimination.

The First Responders Training, organised by the Bureau of Gender Affairs, forms part of ongoing efforts to improve first responders’ understanding of gender-based violence and referral pathways, while equipping participants with the skills needed to support victims and survivors.