‘Women afraid to leave abusive relationships’ – FSN’s Dr Sylvia M. Simmonds
“Domestic Violence encompasses physical, emotional, verbal, economic and sexual abuse in heterosexual and same-sex relationships. Domestic violence is persistent and abusive behaviour based mostly on power and control that occurs over a period of time", says Dr. Simmonds in an exclusive interview with this news site over the weekend.
“It includes sexual abuse, physical assault and stalking such as: sending unwanted gifts, calling or use of electronic media, examples, (Facebook, messaging and tweeting). The victims of domestic violence will experience a range of emotions including uncertainty, fear and stress just to name a few,” said Dr Simmonds.
She said it can have a huge impact on their self-esteem making it difficult for them to leave the relationship.
“Children are also the unfortunate victims of domestic violence. Many are physically or emotionally abused and a number of them are sexually abused. While men are usually the abusers there are a number of women who either abuse their children or aid and abet the men in their abuse of children,” she said.
“Anyone can be the victim of domestic violence. It does not discriminate, regardless of your age, race, gender, religion, wealth, geography or sexuality. Here in Tortola the majority of victims are women and children with a few males that reported abuse. Everyone has the right to be at peace and live free from violence and abuse,” says Dr. Simmonds.
“We need to come together as a community and find solutions. The Office of Gender Affairs along with the Family Support Network is here to support, educate and assist anyone that is seeking help,” said Dr Simmonds while speaking to this news site, noting that the effects of domestic violence differ for all victims.
“The obvious is the physical injury. The not so obvious is the emotional suffering. That's where Family Support Network plays a big role. We counsel the women or family and find solutions. Sometimes it is just a simple step as listening to the other person and hearing what they have to say,” she said.
"The women are living in fear, feel frightened and are very concerned about what is going to happen to them and their children if they decide to leave the relationship," says Dr. Simmonds. “They are not leaving the relationship if a solution is not present,” she said.
She said that in this diverse population 85 percent of crimes occur between intimate partners with the majority being women as the victims. A fraction of the abuse is between caretakers and the young children in their care, parents and children, young adult and their aging relatives.
"It's all about power, control and isolation” says, Dr. Simmonds. Our statistics show that we have an issue here in the Virgin Islands,” she said.
Dr. Simmonds provided the following Statistics for 2014 (January 2014-September 30, 2014)
New Clients: 16 males, 100 females and 24 children
Food: 172 females and 5 males
Individual counseling (multiple visits for some clients) 260 females 22 males
Couples counseling: 2
Children counseling: 46
Court Ordered for anger management: 3 males and 2 females
Callers (for counseling and for information) 42
Clients seeking housing: only 4 women and children accommodated. 3 of the women length of stay total 3 months.
Protection Order: 6 males and 36 females
Legal/Police matters: 25
Application/Resume/Student Research: 33
Referrals to Social Development: 22
Court Ordered for Anger Management: 3 males and 2 females, 4 prison visits (adolescents)
14 court appearances
Office Visits: 436 females, 62 males, 47 children
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