Head of the Institute of Gender and Development Studies, University of the West Indies, Dr Gabrielle Hosein, has welcomed the launch of a new Gender-Based Violence Unit within the police service to treat with, among other things, the growing incidence of domestic violence cases in the country. “I think the unit has excellent potential for coordination and monitoring of the police response to domestic violence,” she told Sunday Newsday. Police Commissioner Gary Griffith, in a statement on Friday, announced the establishment of the unit in response to the murders of three women in domestic abuse situations since the beginning of this year. The unit was also established to respond to the increase in breaches of restraining orders and reports filed by members of the LGBT community, is expected to be launched on January 21.