Revised Laws of Saint Lucia (2023)

DIVISION 2
Report on acts of Domestic Violence

7.   Report on acts of domestic violence to a police officer

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    (1)   A person may make a report to a police officer with respect to an act of domestic violence.

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    (2)   Subject to the Child (Care, Protection and Adoption) Act, where a person has knowledge or has reasonable grounds to suspect that a person—

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      (a)     is committing

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      (b)     has committed;

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      (c)     is likely to commit,

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    an act of domestic violence against a child, the person shall immediately make a report to a police officer.

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    (3)   A report under subsection (1) or (2) must contain—

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      (a)     the name and address of the victim;

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      (b)     the name and address of the accused person;

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      (c)     the nature of the act of domestic violence;

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      (d)     the date, time and location of the act of domestic violence, if not reported at the time committed;

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    (4)   A person under subsection (2) includes—

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      (a)     a psychologist;

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      (b)     a health practitioner who is registered and holds a valid practising certificate or licence under the Health Practitioners Act;

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      (c)     a nurse registered under the Registration of Nurses and Midwives Act;

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      (d)     an assigned officer;

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      (e)     a teacher,

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      (f)     a person who is in a position of trust or authority towards a child.

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    (5)   A person referred to under subsection (4) who, without reasonable cause, fails or refuses to make a report to the police officer commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,000.

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    (6)   A civil action shall not be brought against a person referred to under subsection (4) in respect of a report made in good faith under subsection (2).