Community
What the public has to sayabout - domestic violence
With the focus in the last two weeks beingon the issue of Domestic Violence, thanks to Business and ProfessionalWomen (BPW)'s '16 Days of Activism Violence Against Gender Violence'campaign, coincident with the observation of International DayAgainst Violence Against Women on November 25, Cayman Net Newstook the opportunity to invite public comment on the subject.
In order to lend direction to the ensuing debate, we posed thefollowing question:
Increasing incidences of gender violence, especially against women,are being brought to public attention. How do you think the issueof Domestic Violence should be addressed?
The question was directed to a wide cross-section of people. Wepresent the responses.
"The issue of domestic violence should be best addressedby first educating people. Children, at a very early age, shouldbe aware of what abuse is, be it mental or physical. Also, menand women abusers should be made aware of what they are doingwrong."
Beverly Lorimer, 34
Fairbanks Rd.,
George Town
"This issue should best be addressedby introducing certain aspects of it into the Prisons, as manyof its inmates may have inflicted, or experienced, it in the past.It is usually beneficial when you can hear the opinion of thosepeople who have first-hand experience.
"We could teach them ways to deal with their anger beforecommitting this crime, or ways of getting help if they are subjectto the abuse. We need to seriously get a shelter for those peoplebeing abused in order to get out of this environment.
"Additionally, we need to implement Laws that will automaticallycharge the abuser, even if the party involved does not want toreport this crime to the Police Station."
Julie Fulknor, 28
Medical Officer
Smith Road, George Town
"On a governmental basis, I think thatthere should be strict penalties imposed on the public for domesticviolence. A hotline should definitely be there for those needyof it."
Claudine Clement, 27
West Bay
"First of all, the public should beeducated; let them be advised that it's not just the individual,or their families, who are suffering. Neighbours and friends sufferas well, and we should all be a part of helping one another.
"This is a crisis; not just a problem. Women and men couldbe victims of this violence, and education from childhood is thebest tool. Sometimes, we do not get the education from home, becausewe could be suffering there.
"But the churches/organisations should always give a helpinghand; be able to assist in some way, even a shelter, when thosepeople are desperate for their lives."
Estrella Powery, 30
West Bay
"The first thing that I would suggestto anyone in an abusive situation to do would be to seek counsellingas soon as possible, whether it be mental or physical abuse theyare suffering.
"Abuse does not go away overnight,and for the weaker ones, it can come back to haunt them laterin life when they least expect it to. The abuse that a personreceives can have a detrimental effect on one's future.
"Get out and away from this environment would be my suggestionbecause, once it starts, it'll be years before it can come toan end."
Janice Green, 35
George Town
"Realising that the abuse is not yourfault and that there is nothing you did to provoke such an actare two very important things to remember, because often times,the abuser will say that it's something you did or said to aggravatethem.
"They (the abuser) have to realise that there is nothingthey can say, after the abuse has already taken place, that canjustify their actions. The next step to take would be speakingto someone that you can trust, who can educate you on the propersteps to take in getting out of this situation.
"And, most importantly, report the abuser to the Police sothat they can have their names on a file."
Marie Bodden, 31
George Town