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