Anguillians Show Abhorrence For Crime
The largest rally seen in recent years in Anguilla blocked traffic in the Upper Valley area on Monday afternoon November 25 as Anguillians joined their voices against domestic violence. The occasion was the observance of International Day Against Violence Against Women and members of the local Multi-Agency Committee, which organised the rally, were overwhelmed with the huge response from people of all ages

Placard bearers outside National Trust

School children, members of church and community groups including the National Council of Women, Scouts, Girl Guides, Pathfinders, Boys and Girls Brigade, the Catholic Youth, the Optimist Club, Lions Club, other groupings and members of the general public, participated in the mass rally. Even Ministers of Government to whom the crowd called upon to help stem domestic violence were among the gathering. Wearing T-shirts and carrying placards with various slogans, the marchers congregated on the grounds of the Scouts and Guides Ruthwill Auditorium. Chanting “No excuse, stop the abuse,” they made their way up St. Mary’s Road, across the Mahogany Tree Road and down the Albert Lake Drive to the courtyard area of the National Trust Building. The drumming of the Pathfinders and the Boys Brigade added much zest to the rally.

Boys Brigade

Minister of Social Services, Eric Reid, wearing one of the T-shirts, addressed the large gathering. “Your presence here is a clear indication that you are aware that domestic violence is very present in Anguilla, that it affects family members, their neighbours and that it is everybody’s business,” he said. “I simply want to encourage you to continue to raise your voices against domestic violence. This collective display is very welcomed and should serve to let those who suffer such abuse know that there are persons concerned for their welfare. I trust these persons will also raise their voices against violence in a less public way by quietly offering a word of guidance or encouragement to their neighbour, family member or friend who is suffering domestic abuse and seeking a way to end their suffering.”

Pathfinders

The Minister continued: “This public display is useful to let those who daily hide the abuse they suffer know that others are aware that domestic abuse occurs. This can serve to make persons suffering from domestic abuse more willing to acknowledge that they are abused and more receptive to an individual offering guidance as to how to respond to domestic violence. Additionally, this rally allows the masses to speak to the Government of the day. A rally such as this makes it clear that domestic violence is not the concern of one person or one committee but a concern of members of the general public… You have the Government’s attention, and particularly, you have my attention as Minister responsible for social issues.”
The keynote speaker was Psychologist Dr. Clarice Barnes, a native of Montserrat serving in the Health Education Department in the British Virgin Islands. She is an International Fellow in Family Therapy and an Honorary Senior Lecturer at the School of Education at the University of Birmingham.

Cub Scouts and Guides

Dr. Barnes said she was overwhelmed having listened to the voices of the children saying domestic violence must stop. “As I watched the young people take that critical march around the bloc and shouted ‘no to violence’ and ‘break the silence against domestic violence’, those shouts to me suggested understanding beyond their years. Credit must be given to the adults who are sensitising them.”
She noted that there were situations where some women perpetrated violence against men, but that from the evidence this was minor in comparison to the extent of violence against women and children. “There is evidence also that says fifty percent of children around the world have witnessed domestic violence and that they behave as though they were subjected to the violence themselves,” she said. “Like women, children who are exposed to such violence show signs of depression, low self-esteem and their physical health is not good.”
Dr. Barnes went on: “Where men perpetrate violence, where women as a result of the violence they experience do likewise to their children, I can say nothing else other than it must stop.”
Other persons who gave remarks at the rally were Principal Assistant Secretary in the Chief Minister’s Office, Lana Hoyoung, who has responsibility for Gender Relations; Peewee Suzuki, Director of Education Services in St. Maarten; and Acting Director of Social Development and Welfare, Sharriffa Wallace.
The rally was chaired by Pastor Phillip Gumbs of the Church of God (Holiness). Others who participated were Anita Martin-Ruan who sang a selection on family love; Mauricia King, a Comprehensive School student, whose song against domestic violence was well-received and three members of the All O’We Theatre who presented an appropriate skit.
The Vote of Thanks was delivered by Dr. Phyllis Fleming-Banks, Chairperson of the Multi-Agency Committee on Domestic Violence. She read out a long list of sponsors and partners. The main sponsors were All Island Cable Television, the Anguilla Social Security Board, Cable & Wireless and Cap Juluca Resort.

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