Stood up! Men snub event geared to tackle domestic violence
The Family Support Network (FSN) and other non-government and governmental organisations have intensified the fight against Domestic Violence as the Territory is recording a record high number of cases. Victims have lost their homes, sanity, limbs and even lives.
Commissioner of Police Mr Michael Matthews is constantly on the airwaves and television denouncing these acts of violence, as his institution continues to be saturated with these cases.
But one would have thought that the prevalence of this would see residents from all divides putting differences aside and join any movement that seeks to be a voice against domestic and other forms of violence. However, evidently this is not the case as an event of Wednesday June 28, 2017 showed.
Men missing in action
2017 Mrs BVI Zoe J. Walcott-McMillan, a woman many described as very bold and courageous, a woman who seeks to Win the hearts of the people of her territory in the name of "A better country for all", organised and staged an event caĺled "Stiletto Walk: Walk a mile in her shoes" geared at attracting the participation of especially men to send a message that they care about themselves and the women in their societies.
The walk was done under the umbreĺla of Women In Need (WIN) BVI, a non-governmental organisation, in collaboration with the Family Support Network (FSN), to encourage men to stand up against all forms of violence even those committed against them as men.
It was a very short walk from C&D Superette to Captain Mulligans in Sea Cows Bay.
However, not one man who could be said to have no direct association with the event turned up. Two males were seen on the walk and their presence had much to do with the participation of the 2017 contestants of the Miss NOV pageant. One of them included Co-chair of the Miss BVI Pageant Committee, Mr Damian C. Grange.
“I am very disappointed that our men did not come out to put their money where their mouths are, and walk in solidarity to show the community that we are not negotiating when it comes to domestic violence and abuse. When it matters and when it counts, we expect you to show up and show out, and I am disappointed that our community did not show up and show out for a cause such as this," said Mrs Walcott-McMillian.
“Historically, it’s not a situation men would feel comfortable talking about and letting the community know they are in a domestic abusive relationship, but we were hoping this event would’ve been able to give them a voice, bringing them closer to the issue that affects a lot of women. It gives them more of an understanding of the situation.”
“The focus has always been on women when it comes to domestic abuse. We are encouraging men to literally walk in their shoes, walk in defiance and non-negotiation of domestic abuse or domestic violence.”
According to Walcott-McMillan, we are seeing ramifications of a society that still has ways to go in recognising that men can be vulnerable and they have access to get help required. She further said organisations advocating against domestic violence have to find ways to attract men who are facing domestic abusive issues and those affected by life’s challenges.
Despite her disappointment at the no show of men, those women who did turn up with pride and poise walked the distance and were sure to capture the attention of many as they sent the desired message through different means.
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34 Responses to “Stood up! Men snub event geared to tackle domestic violence”
I suggest that if a REAL MAN is not involved in the planning of this event, that you get a few interested men on board and appreciate what they will be comfortable with. A lady will want ladies 'feel good stuff, but a man will want an approach that deal with the issues. The man get out of his high shoes and everybody goes back home...and what happened?
Men in the past- would not allow known domestic violence to go on next door without stepping to that man or woman for that matter (who exhibited excessive masculine energy). Both sides would be put in-checked. Police was our last resort. Stepping up was our men defence. Real men then- looked out for the village.
Today we just have a bunch of grown boys pretending to be men. Our Territory Day is the right time to reflect holistically on the deep and solid foundation our ancestors developed within the village which made our men strong: spiritually, mentally, and physically. "No weapons form against us shall prosper." Be strong sisters and help our men to discover who they really are.
Not letting off our sisters easy either, for allot of our sisters have been "mind-f#ck" too- by the conditioning of those who would rather see us destroy each other- our family structure, our relationsips, and hating on each other of the same hues and struggles- designed for their own devious/coverted benefits.
We all need to reflect and break these chains strangling our minds.
ONE LOVE - The spirit given to me has been expressed. I'M OUT!
god help us.. and a sense of humor..
Walking in someone else's shoes is a figure of speech not to literally do so..they would have had to find a more creative way to symbolize this concept but I guess that was too much work to engage the brain in.
Now they hot with the men for going to play poppy show with them.
Water really more than flour in this place now.