A/HRC/16/52/Add.3 violence (section 3(2)(b)(v)). The violation of a court-issued protection order is punishable by a fine and/or by a prison term of up to six months (section 5(1)). However, owing to additional gaps in the legislation, the Government has recently engaged with civil society to make the necessary amendments. 32. Regarding the protection of victims, women may receive renewable protection orders. However, their enforcement is not clear, because the law does not foresee patrolling, but a police officer may arrest a suspect who is believed to be in breach of a protection order.9 Existing shelters and crisis centres for women are operated by civil society, but they receive financial subsidies from the Government. In terms of implementation, the Government has carried out media campaigns and public education programmes to sensitize women on gender-based violence at the community level, including at churches and in civic groups. Education on gender-based violence is also offered at all school levels. Nevertheless, there is no national plan of action to combat domestic violence. When it enters into force, the Sexual Offences Act will provide greater protection to victims, including victims of marital rape. 33. The Trafficking in Persons Act, adopted in 2007, criminalizes the trafficking in persons and provides for victims’ assistance. A national task force against trafficking in persons was established as an intergovernmental agency with the responsibility of providing advisory functions to the Government and coordinating national efforts at combating trafficking. The Bureau of Women’s Affairs is mainly responsible for prevention, the Ministry of National Security and the Ministry of Justice for protection, and the police and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution for prosecution in cases of trafficking. III. Assessment of the situation A. Prevailing violence in the country 34. The Special Rapporteur is aware of the difficult security situation faced in Jamaica and its escalating crime rate. The root causes of this high level of violence in the country are, among others, the drug trade and the trade in firearms, links of criminal gangs to political parties, corruption, poverty and other socio-economic disparities within the country and within cities themselves. The Special Rapporteur therefore considers it essential to address the root causes of this culture of violence, including through comprehensive policies that can help to bring this high crime rate down. 35. The Special Rapporteur is also concerned about the high number of murders committed each year, including the large number of people who are killed in police operations in circumstances that are not always clear. The Special Rapporteur heard accounts of murders as a result of excessive use of force by the Jamaican Constabulary Forces or the Jamaica Defence Forces, which in some cases may amount to extrajudicial executions. He was also concerned that many investigations are not prompt or effective, and that prosecutions in cases involving the security forces are rare.10 9 10 Domestic Violence Act, section 5(2). The Government of Jamaica indicated that the Bureau of Special Investigations must undertake an investigation into all questionable police shootings. The domestic procedure may involve investigations by the Office of the Department of Public Prosecution and, if necessary, referral to the Coroner’s Court to ensure the greatest degree of accuracy in rulings and the preservation of the credibility, probity and integrity of the investigation and judicial systems. The structure of the investigative system results in a lengthy period of investigations. This does not render them 9