HOA Speaker urges stronger laws against tech-facilitated violence
House Speaker Corine George-Massicotte
House Speaker Corine George-Massicotte has urged the Virgin Islands to strengthen its laws and policies to address technology-facilitated violence, saying the territory has not yet taken a proactive stance on the growing threat of digital abuse.
Speaking during the October 30 sitting of the House of Assembly, George-Massicotte said she recently led a discussion on the issue at the 68th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Conference in Barbados. The session focused on “addressing facilitated violence against women, the role of parliament in promoting prevention, protection, and policy reform”.
She explained that while the BVI has laws addressing certain forms of violence and abuse, it has not “sufficiently adapted” its legislative and policy framework to “respond to the new and complex ways in which violence is now being facilitated”.
“This must change,” George-Massicotte insisted while adding that the House “must take the lead in shaping a more responsive and gender-sensitive legislative agenda that recognises the realities of modern forms of violence”.
The Speaker said violence against women remains “one of the most pervasive human rights challenges globally” and that abuse facilitated through “digital platforms, online harassment, or systems that fail to protect victims” presents urgent challenges for lawmakers.
“We must strengthen our laws, expand public awareness, and ensure that victims are both protected and empowered to seek justice,” she stated.
George-Massicotte emphasised that parliaments play a critical role not only in creating laws but also in setting a tone of “respect, inclusion, and accountability” across society. She said the BVI could learn from the CPA’s benchmarks for democratic legislatures and improve through “education, advocacy, and institutional reform”.
According to the CPA, technology-facilitated violence—often carried out through social media and online platforms—has emerged as a major threat to women and girls globally. In the BVI, discussions about cyberbullying and digital abuse have gained traction in recent years, but there is still no dedicated law addressing these offences.
The Speaker reaffirmed her commitment to working with legislators and community partners to develop “a comprehensive and coordinated approach to addressing violence against women in all its forms.”
She added that this commitment reflects “the kind of society we aspire to build, one grounded in equality, dignity, justice, and respect for all”.
Copyright 2025 BVI News, Media Expressions Limited. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.
She added that this commitment reflects “the kind of society we aspire to build, one grounded in equality, dignity, justice, and respect for all”. THIS HERE WILL HAVE A HARD TIME TO COME TO FRUITION IN THE BVI BECAUSE OUR CULTURAL WAYS THAT WE DEVOLPED OVER THE PAST THREE DECADE IN PARTICULAR. GREEDINESS, ENVY, JEALOUSY, MONEY MAKING DECISIONS OF THE HEART. LEADERSHIP AFRAID/TIMID TO MAKE DECISIONS TO PROTECT THE VIRGIN ISLANDS. AND WHEN TEMPERS FLARE THE IDIOMS OF UP STREET/DOWN STREET. EAST END/LONG LOOK, TOWN AND COUNTRY, FRENCHMAN CAY/WEST END SHOW PREETY AND HANDSOME FACES WITH UGLY MINDS. GET IT TOGETHER SOME DAY U VI PEOPLE OF AFRICAN DESCENT.
She luv gun man, party man , boatman, clubman , drugman , hot tempered man,and badman so domestic violence comes with that package yooo wha you feel this is.
But on a real tho if most women will be more cautious and hold some sort of self respect and standards for themselves I think domestic violence would drop significantly in the BVI .
Most cases if you check who involved issa dead beat father, criminal, partyman, festival man, aggressive hot tempered dude,jueve man, weed head, drugman etc and most cases she has met them during her party life , night life etc and expected him to be a responsible loving partner long term. Them wan the wild life that comes with them dudes but don’t want the domestic abuse, cheating, lack of marriage, single mama life , std,hiv, etc can’t get both my dawggg and if you somehow managed to get both that’s like 1% chance
Same goes for the fellas. You meet a girl at the club, festival,bars, jueve, smoking etc then when she breed for yah you expect her to be a responsible partner and mother and to cool off on the night life stuff etc but that’s where to met her bro so she’s gonna return to that in most cases. Then problems start cuz y’all both got responsibility now but one wan to continue partying and drinking and wilding and the other wanna be responsible or one of y’all cheat due to the party lifestyle y’all chase.
A lot of baby showers you don’t see the father and the ones where the father is present most cases them not engaged
or them not married
or the father looks like typical thugs/drugman/gunman… Few months to a few years later them not together like who couldn’t see that coming??? Most cases them not making it 4 1/2 yrs+
Don’t save her she don’t wanna be saveddd but at the end of the day it affects us all when they create bad offsprings who will grow up and add to the crime statistics…. I.e money boys gang and the amount of under age kids who still attending school or drop out but Getting firearm charges….
Very beautiful
She abuse our hearts anytime