Friday, June 23, 2006

Eighteen men looking to rebuild their future are a few steps closer to reaching their goals, thanks to a unique programme designed by a partnership between the Probation Aftercare Unit, Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS), Women's Resource Centre, Judicial System and Counselling Centre.

The programme called "Stopping the Violence" targeted men, and was initiated by Probation Aftercare Unit with the support of the Judicial System, in response to the need for intervention due to the number of domestic abuse cases seen in the Judicial System.

The current graduation marks the second completion of this programme and the demand for such a program continues to increase.

The whole programme lasted nine months, from 12 September 2005 to 22 May 2006 and culminated in a graduation ceremony that took place on 29 May 2006 at the South Sound Community Hall.

"It is exactly the time necessary for a child to be born. These men now have their rebirth. This is the beginning of a new life for them, " said Karlene Bramwell, Programme co-facilitator.

Each of the programmes' eighteen participants received a certificate and signed a pledge indicating their commitment to personal change and to stop domestic violence. Comments from agencies that contributed to the programme were presented. As part of the ceremony, graduates had a chance to share their ideas about the programme, and the ceremony concluded with refreshments and socialising.

Stopping the Violence concept is interactive in nature and had significant impact towards positive growth for all who were involved in the programme, participants and facilitators alike.

Some of the topics covered during the 9-month programme are Non-Threatening Behaviours, Respect, Support and Trust, Accountability and Honesty, Sexual Respect, Partnership, Negotiation and Fairness.

The approach of Probation Aftercare in tackling the domestic abuse issue is innovative and allows abusers to receive intervention, without being sent to prison. The Judicial System monitored the progress of course participants via detailed monthly reports.

"Management of criminal offences can be symbolically divided into carrot and stick approaches. This is a carrot approach. This approach is very advanced on a global scale and I am glad to see its success in the Cayman Islands. By offering such a course we do believe in giving people second chances and we hope not to see them again in this situation," said John Jones, Chief Superintendent of the RCIPS Family Support Unit.

Anticipated results of the Stopping the Violence programme include changes to behaviour and positive role modelling. Every graduate is expected to put learned lessons into action, which should have an impact on graduates themselves, their families and finally on the whole community.

The Probation Aftercare Unit will support graduates of the programme further, and will offer the added benefit of utilizing the Cayman Islands Crisis Centre in maintaining a 24 hour phone line that will serve as an emotional pressure valve - encouraging participants to call in to 'let off steam' and talk to someone about stressful situations.

Probation Aftercare Unit is organizing the Probation and Parole Week from 23-28 July, when information about all their programmes, including "Stopping the Violence" Programme, will be presented to the general public.

For more information about Stopping the Violence or about the Probation and Parole Week, contact facilitators Cleviston Hunte, phone 949 1693, email:
Cleviston.Hunte@gov.ky, or Karlene Bramwell, phone 949 1693, email: Karlene.Bramwell@gov.ky.

Back...