Domestic violence is BVI’s most reported crime
Police Commissioner Mark Collins disclosed that domestic violence is, by far, the most recorded criminal offence in the territory for officers of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF).
The top cop gave that indication during the Standing Finance Committee (SFC) meetings for the budget held between lawmakers and government department heads weeks ago.
Collins also told lawmakers that crime has slightly increased in the areas of sexual offences, domestic violence and drug related matters in the territory, but said it had decreased for burglaries, robbery and serious offences.
In the meantime, the Police Chief indicated that a domestic violence forum has been established with unnamed partner agencies to manage the RVIPF’s response to the issue.
“We’re looking at what the priorities are, what the mechanisms are for supporting people that are suffering from domestic abuse,” Collins previously said one month after taking the post.
Back then, he said police will be seeking external assistance to bolster their efforts. “To take it one step further, we’re also looking to do some work with the Metropolitan Police in the UK and some other work from the Camden local authority in London because they are seen as world leaders in dealing with domestic abuse,” Collins explained at the time.
More than physical abuse
Last October, the government observed Domestic Violence Awareness month under the theme ‘Every 1 Knows 1 so HELP 1’.
At the time, Gender Affairs Coordinator, Tara-Sue Morgan encouraged members of the community to help each other while pointing out that everyone at one time or another is affected by domestic violence.
Morgan explained that domestic violence is not only physical abuse that is visible to the eyes, but is also emotional, psychological, sexual and financial abuse which is often ignored.
She further expressed that those types of abuse tend to leave a deep scar that often take longer to heal than the physical scars.
“We have to change the mindset and attitude of persons to ensure that we wipe out the scourge of domestic violence. The one you save can be the person you see in the mirror,” Morgan said.
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Start by stopping telling lies Commissioner. We are waiting on you to come clean on that video. If could lie on something this simple you are capable of doing anything.
There is no such offence as Domentic Violence however, there are criminal offences that arise as a result of Domestic Violence.
And it’s a case we’ll cut out for them. It needs no investigation no interrogations etc. So as soon as someone report it they quick to do up a statement and would not listen if the victim is just asking them to JUST warn the defendant. They are not helping the victim by saying the saving them from domestic violence if man/woman wants to their partners something no court or police can prevent that unless the person is locked away in some jail.
Top COP
DV is not an offence on the books. much more to be criminal. it would be better that you said it was a traffic offence.
however, offences can be committed by reason of violence be it domestic or otherwise.
Very disingenuous statement. In his attempt to improve the situation perhaps he should consider training his officers to deal with things like the police report that is needed when they send victims to FSN for help with protection orders. Or perhaps not calling a husband to tell him what his wife just told them. Maybe clean up his house first before coming out to tell us what we’ve known for years.
DF would have made a better COP! How much is this guy paid for what is obviously a lack luster performance? Call back dean fahie and let him recruit better officers to help correcting this sorry state of affair.