(photo: MP Gracita Arrindell and Lawyer Hijmans)
In my further preparations of my objectives to introduce a draft law on domestic violence, earlier this week I met with Lawyer Hijmans.
I will also discuss this issue with Professor de Doelder. He was in Sint Maarten and before Parliament several times to assist Minister of Justice Roland Duncan when hearings were held in 2011 regarding the Penal Code.
Contact will be made as well with other stakeholders including Safe Haven once a draft is made to get their input in the document.
In the meantime, I have received a copy of the law and the explanatory notes thereto of the special law as established in the Netherlands regarding domestic and relational violence.
Domestic Violence Awareness and its consequences on society are at the front burner of many governments around the world. It was very encouraging to me and dare say to the millions of women and men around the world to hear President Barack Obama refer to the Domestic Violence Act, in his State of the Union address on Tuesday evening. It is that important of an issue.
Gracita Arrindell
United People’s (UP) Party
Member of Parliament