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Get out but go where? Call made for shelter for victims of abuse

Women if you are being abused get out,' admonished NCC of SDA Director of Children and women’s Ministry, Ms Gerene Joseph. Photo: VINO
Ms Gloria A. Fahie (with plaque card) was among the leading women who participated in coordinating the march and rally. Photo: VINO
Ms Gloria A. Fahie (with plaque card) was among the leading women who participated in coordinating the march and rally. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – “Women if you are being abused get out. Have the guts to get out.” This was a challenge put to women who are existing in abusive relationships. However, parallel to this there was the call for a safe place for women to stay when they would have walked away from an abusive relationship.

This was a call made recently at a rally and march in Road Town, the largest of its nature to have ever taken place in the Virgin Islands and had seen the support of the government, who are currently working on legislations for the cause. It was organized by the Women's Ministry Department of the Seventh Day Adventist churches (SDA).

The need for health services for traumatized women was another call put out during the rally.  

“We need to ensure that there is a place of safety for our women. We should encourage them to leave abusive relationships. Our women should not tolerate being abused; we should be respected by our male counterparts,” said NCC of SDA Director of Children and Women’s Ministry, Ms Gerene Joseph.

“Dear sisters, tell your stories, you do not need to be ashamed,” she admonished.

As the campaign goes on, the church and other supporters were challenged to pray for wisdom on how to deal with women who are being abused. “We need to get involved. No longer can we sit down as say oh our neighbor is getting licks but that’s her business, no she is our sister, she is woman just like us and we need to get involved, we need to be assertive,” said Ms Joseph.

“We have to use education from now to make a change. We have to let our boys realize that it is not ok to hurt girls.”

Deputy Chief Social Development Officer Ms Chonda Jeffers said that far too long the issue of domestic violence has been hidden behind closed doors and avoided in public discourse. “Such violence cannot be denied as part of our everyday life for many women and children,” said Ms Jeffers who also noted that in the years 2011 and 2012, sexual abuse was the highest form of abuse in the Virgin Islands while in 2010 sexual and physical abuse were among the two highest types of abuse.

“With statistics such as these it is quite alarming for such a small country,” she said as she also noted that the silence of abuse by many generations may have created acceptability in the Territory. “It was never reported, never discussed only gossiped, never confronted. It was a frightening thought to even enquire about support.”

She said Social Development and other agencies are looking at ways of safeguarding women and children against any form of abuse and they are advocating that all parties get involved in the process of breaking the silence.

6 Responses to “Get out but go where? Call made for shelter for victims of abuse”

  • end it now (12/03/2013, 09:33) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    I am grateful to finally see that the community is taking a stand against abuse of any form. We can no longer sit back and remain in silence while our friends and family members suffer at the hands of inividuals who claim to love them.

    I want to take this opportunity to congratulate Ms Chonda Jeffers on her new appointment of Deputy Chief; may God continue to guide you as you carry out His work in our community. Scorpion Queen (lol)




  • bay yute (12/03/2013, 14:20) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    this is a serious topic where are the bloggers? but they spend all dem time on Ms Hull melee
  • MEME (13/03/2013, 18:39) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Step up women and put in your piece. Help save your life and your children's lives. Your comments will mean a lot for you and others
  • Me Too (13/03/2013, 21:45) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Women are afraid to blogg now on that topic. They fraid they will be abuse by dem man.


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