Know Your Rights.*
Domestic violence is not acceptable under any circumstances. Everyone has the right to live free of domestic violence.
Many kinds of domestic violence constitute a criminal offence, including physical assault, wounding, attempting to choke, sexual assault, rape, threats to kill, harassment, stalking and putting people in fear of violence.
The Bermuda Police Service is committed to not only dealing proactively with offenders but, just as importantly, providing quality service to all victims of violence.
The Bermuda Police Service is committed to the following:
- Dealing with complaints in a courteous and professional manner
- Taking firm and positive action if an offence has been committed
- Providing you with contact information for the Domestic Violence Liaison Officer (299-4478 or 515-3850) and other helping agencies
- Offering support through the criminal proceedings
- Providing you with a security plan if criminal proceedings are sought.
When you make a complaint, you can expect the police to:
- Take your complaint seriously
- Provide you with accurate information
- Be objective
- Keep you from further offences being committed once attending the incident and to protect all concerned from further violence
- It is a policy, if children are present, for the police to ensure that they are safe and unharmed
- To assure you are safe before leaving the scene.
You have rights. As a complainant, you have the right to:
- Request your incident number before the police officer leaves
- Request information on agencies and services that can help you
- Not be discriminated against because of your race, culture or sexual orientation
- Be informed when you can provide a statement to the police
- Choose the helping agency that best suits your needs
- Request to be taken to a safe place
- File a grievance if the attending officer does not fulfil this criteria.
Visit www.bermudapolice.bm for more information.