The Multi-Agency Committee on Domestic Violence is voicing its concern about the number of cases dealing with domestic and sexual abuse of women and children currently before the Magistrate and the High Courts here in Anguilla. In a meeting this week, the Committee expressed outrage over the outcomes of two of those Cases in the Courts last week. The agency is mortified that while there were convictions in both cases, both perpetrators received non-custodial sentences in the form of probation.

In another case immediately subsequent to the meeting, the Committee learnt that in dismissing a charge of assault brought against yet another perpetrator, the Court saw it fit to advise the female victim that the perpetrator was only trying to gain her attention in order to woo her, and that she should expect this kind of behaviour from Anguillian men. Such comments by the Court not only trivialise the serious nature of the physical and sexual abuse of women that is plaguing our community, but also perpetuate and encourage it, the Committee charges.

The Multi-Agency Committee on Domestic Violence is a coalition of a number of governmental and non-governmental organisations (including the church), whose goal is to reduce the incidence of Domestic Violence in all its forms on Anguilla. The Committee is seeking to create public awareness on the issue and raise public consciousness about the ways in which these violent behaviours are reinforced and perpetrated. It is also challenging the status quo that trivialises domestic abuse.

The Committee points out that domestic violence is a crime and that the matters now before the Courts are criminal offences. Consequently, the coalition group is expressing grave concerns about the apparently abhorrent and insensitive nature in which these criminal offences are being perceived and handled by the legal and judicial system. Given the current trend, the Committee is calling on the Anguillian community to take note of these happenings and is urging the relevant authorities to investigate the matters. It is also escalating its call for an urgent review of the archaic legislation on domestic violence and challenging the law enforcement, legal and judicial entities to give these crimes the serious attention that they deserve.

- Press Release

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