Dr Sylvia M. Simmonds ‘not surprised’ @ recent domestic violence murder
In an interview with Ms. Peta-Gay Coombs and Ms. Cathy O. Richards on JTV news weekend edition of the ‘Big Story’, coordinator of FSN and counsellor, Dr. Sylvia M. Simmonds expressed that she was not shocked at the recent murder of Mrs. Sherika Nelson-DaSilva, 29.
Mrs. Nelson-DaSilva was knifed to death on June 10, 2017, allegedly by her husband Lennox F. Da Silva aka ‘Ocho’, 52, following a dispute at their Greenland apartment.
It’s going to continue
“I am not shocked at the murder that took place two weeks ago. It's a matter of time. It’s going to continue,” said Dr. Simmonds who also stated, “We have a number of victims who have already told us that they have been battered, beaten so badly but they have never been to the police or to the emergency room. If they went to the emergency room they will not tell the doctor or the nurses they have been beaten by their husband or boyfriend. They would just go and get mend and go back home.”
According to the psychologist, a number of men are also suffering violent physical abuse at the hands of the female in their lives. She appealed especially to officers of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) to act the same with men as they do with women.
She further stated that in a number of instances, men are mocked and laughed at and sent to go deal with their issues "As a Man".
She highlighted the religious institution as one of the toughest areas to deal with. “The religion one is a very difficult one because women who are Christians feel that they have to stay in that relationship because they are told they have to because they are married to the man,” explained the psychologist.
According to Dr. Simmonds, education is very important for both men and women, especially victims. She said that from her experience of counselling many every day, she hears stories of women who allege that the abuser tells them that they know the magistrate and the police. In cases, especially where the woman is not "from here", their spouse usually threaten to have immigration ship them back to their country of origin. Additionally, some men use the children as a ransom against women.
While the Family Support Network does its best with limited resources, which includes an annual $40,000 from government, they are operating in an extremely limited financial and physical structure and are appealing for the community's support in getting a better space in which to effectively provide the all so important services.
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13 Responses to “Dr Sylvia M. Simmonds ‘not surprised’ @ recent domestic violence murder”
Speak the truth, the real truth and nothing but the truth. One of the reasons there are problems in the first place is deceit by one or both partners prior to entering a relationship. One or both partners enter a relationship for their own self-interest or selfish reasons and when that happens, the results that come from such relationships are demonic.
"I am not shocked at the murder that took place two weeks ago. It's a matter of time. IT'S GOING TO CONTINUE"
Encourage, support, persuade, support, advise, urge but most of all speak LIFE not death.