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FSN handled 52 cases of Domestic Violence in 2022- Curnal P. Fahie

- said it’s a ‘drop in the bucket’ compared to what is really happening
Family Support Network (FSN) dealt with 52 cases of domestic violence in 2022; however, its Executive Director Mr Curnal P. Fahie has said that figure does not give a true picture of the magnitude of the problem in the [British] Virgin Islands. Photo: VINO/File
Mr Curnal P. Fahie was a guest of Shaina M. Smith-Archer on the show Umoja on ZBVI 780AM on Monday, June 19, 2023. Photo: Facebook
Mr Curnal P. Fahie was a guest of Shaina M. Smith-Archer on the show Umoja on ZBVI 780AM on Monday, June 19, 2023. Photo: Facebook
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI- Family Support Network (FSN) dealt with 52 cases of domestic violence in 2022; however, its Executive Director Mr Curnal P. Fahie has said that figure does not give a true picture of the magnitude of the problem in the [British] Virgin Islands.

Speaking to Shaina M. Smith-Archer, the host of Umoja on ZBVI 780AM on Monday, June 19, 2023, Mr Fahie said in most regions, for every 1000 cases of domestic violence one shows up at police stations or offices like the Family Support Network.

A ‘drop in the bucket’

It was then he disclosed that FSN handled 52 cases of domestic violence last year.

“That is what came to FSN. Imagine some came to the police station, some came to Social Development, some went to the magistrate and others went unreported.

“So what we see was a drop in the bucket of what is really happening,” Mr Fahie concluded.

Recalling that it was in January 2023 that Commissioner of Police Mark Collins said domestic violence was the number one reported crime in the VI, Mr Fahie said domestic violence was always a major problem; however, it was swept under the rug.

He said due to the pandemic and the weather events of 2017, the problem “came to the surface” and persons became more radical and emboldened to do their crime publicly.

“So, victims have become more educated and realised that they don’t have to walk around with the shame of it, so they have come forward and shared and showed up at the police station.”

Domestic violence is not just about the ‘punching’

Meanwhile, Mr Fahie said a lot of people misunderstand domestic violence, as it is not just about the “punching.”

“By the time punching happens so many other things have happened.”

The FSN Executive Director shared that there are 5 components to domestic violence: Psychological effect (verbal and emotional), Physical abuse, Sexual abuse, Financial abuse and Religious abuse.

He said the foundation of domestic violence is the perpetrators want to gain control over the person they are victimising. 

17 Responses to “FSN handled 52 cases of Domestic Violence in 2022- Curnal P. Fahie”

  • Me (20/06/2023, 15:19) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    I’m going through all of the abuse right now.
    • reach out (20/06/2023, 17:57) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
      For help before it's too late.
    • RedStorm (20/06/2023, 20:29) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      @Me,
      Seek help! Do not any any point of your life continue on this journey,it never ends good. God made you and include special components in your wonderful body that please him , so seek help. Go to your church,there are confidential people there, seek professional help.
    • @me (21/06/2023, 13:38) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      You are not alone
      But please seek help
      Some circumstances seems like helpless
      But seek help I beg u
      Suicidal thoughts will begin haunting u
      I pray for u and all women going through this
      He who feels it
      knows it
  • WOW (20/06/2023, 15:37) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    Just imagine children who are afraid to talk because of many reason
  • plain and simple (20/06/2023, 15:51) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    The day my partner decide to put his hands on me for whatever reason. HE’S A GONER.
    • @Plain and Simple (20/06/2023, 17:40) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
      I feel you on that, for me goner could mean anything be it I take him out or I habe him taken out. Any man that lays his hands on a woman is a dirty controlling insecure wimp.
  • Harmas (20/06/2023, 16:03) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
    These weak boys beating up there ladies
    • @Harmas (20/06/2023, 17:46) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      Weak or not, a man lay his hands on me he will be in a body cast or a steel rod in the hand that he lay on me. I don’t keep a tire iron in my trunk for just car repairs only.
  • Mr? (20/06/2023, 16:43) Like (2) Dislike (5) Reply
    I thought that this man was an apostle!
    • dumb (20/06/2023, 20:30) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
      So what He being an Apostle have to do with the price of gas? The man is speaking true facts…. Such a stupid statement..
  • men (20/06/2023, 20:04) Like (0) Dislike (6) Reply
    All they need to do is stop hanning us
    • @men (21/06/2023, 11:00) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      They hanning you, check yourself first to see if it is you, then get counseling with and without them and if it is still them, then LEAVE! Hitting, punching, slapping, threatening, cussing, beating, killing or any other form of abuse, just makes you and your life more ugly going downhill fast when it should be heading upwards slowly but surely.
  • RedStorm (20/06/2023, 20:47) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    That’s a drop in the bucket.Each church should have license therapists, to help their community to better themselves in spiritual, marital, social and psychological ways.

    In the FSN 2016 report shows that men was also reporting domestic abuse. So, for those who think it’s the males alone doing the abuse think again. The men never reported before does not mean that they weren’t been abuse. I did a research on domestic violence in BVI where Some state that they were ashamed to do so, and one male stated that the police laughed at him. The factors are numerous when it comes to the female in a specific group of people.

    So the help it not only food, but educational resources is needed to break the abuse. I,e. Stop giving fish and show them how to fish. Empowering the female in housekeeping, household arts and let them make their own money, eliminating the financial abuse. Teach the men to have dialogue with their partners that stimulate good understanding that both realize why they are in the relationship, and how they can benefit from it.

    The reality is that you will not be able to save all of them but when a community come together towards a committed relationship there are more forces that give better results.
  • God is looking (20/06/2023, 21:40) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply

    it have a lot of murderous man and women .All you a$$*%  going to Hell
    best to walk away

  • action (21/06/2023, 09:23) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Apostle what about verbal a use, I visited your church a couple years ago and heard you refer to some members of your church as dirty stinking people. Do you still feel that way. For that I never returned. Now now don't you go denying if, God will not forgive the apostle if he lies.


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