Monday, June 23, 2014 - 3:33pm - Break the Silence: End Domestic Violence was the message that resonated during the two-day Domestic Violence Sensitisation Workshop that was held on June 19 and 20.
The Domestic Violence Sensitisation Workshop was hosted by the Social Development Department and led by special guest facilitators Mrs. Michal Rhymer-Browne, Deputy Commissioner of Human Services and Ms. Lisandra Latorre, Director of Ageing and Adult Services, in St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands.
Mrs. Carolyn Stoutt Igwe, Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Social Development, in her opening remarks stated, “As we address the subject of domestic violence, let us therefore focus on what we have rather than what we don’t have. We don’t need a lot of resources to speak out against this social ill. Just as we embarked on a campaign to break the silence on child abuse, we must seek to break the silence on domestic violence. It is time that we sound the message loud and clear that there is no excuse for domestic violence.”
She also highlighted some of the new provisions in the Domestic Violence Act, 2011 which will enable the Territory to better address domestic violence. The Domestic Violence Act, 2011 provides greater protection for victims of domestic violence and makes provisions for the granting of protection orders and for incidental and connected matters.
Various stakeholder agencies such as the Ministry of Health and Social Development, the Social Development Department, the Office of Gender Affairs, the Adina Donovan Home for the Elderly, the BVI Health Services Authority, the High Court Registry, Family Support Network and the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force were in attendance at the workshop.
Chief Social Development Officer, Mrs. Annie Malone-Frett welcomed attendees saying, “We are here to gain new information and to look at new opportunities.”
Day one’s training session included the overview of domestic violence; the review of legislation; the role of responders and safety assessment; and planning across disciplines. Day two’s session addressed general processes; intervention methods; and the nuts and bolts of intervention.
The Domestic Violence Sensitisation Workshop was geared towards informing stakeholders on abuse, the cycle of abuse, its side effects, and the issues surrounding elderly abuse.
The Social Development Department is the lead agency charged with promoting the social well-being of the Territory's residents.
The Ministry of Health and Social Development endeavours to provide leadership that promotes health, social well-being and a safe environment.
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