Take a stand against domestic violence, residents told

While the territory grapples to recover from the destruction of last month’s hurricanes, government is raising awareness to another issue in the British Virgin Islands; domestic violence.

The Ministry of Health said in a media release today that Friday, October 27, will be observed as Domestic Violence Awareness Day.

Gender Affairs Coordinator in the ministry, Tara-Sue Morgan, said her office is not able to launch a ‘full-fledged’ campaign but it is appealing to residents to support Domestic Violence Awareness Day by wearing purple.

“The observance of domestic violence awareness is very important because it is an opportunity to educate and share knowledge that could potentially save lives. This is a period in which we recognize the existence of domestic violence and honour those who have been affected by violence with varying awareness raising activities,” Morgan reasoned.

And while noting this year’s theme — Domestic Violence is a Cost We Cannot Afford; Let’s Talk About It — Morgan said: “We want to reflect on the highest cost to the territory from domestic violence, not just financially but psychologically. Even one case is too much… We need to take a stand and work together to eradicate domestic violence throughout the BVI,” she said.

Morgan said the day is being observed in a bid to reduce the occurrence of domestic violence which, in recent times, has become a major issue in the territory.

Just back in June, Director of the Family Support Network, Dr Sylvia Simmonds, raised renewed concern about the prevalence of domestic violence. She decried the issue after a Jamaican woman was butchered at her Tortola-based home which she shared with her husband.