Being a witness in the current investigation and prosecution system can be a frightening experience for both victims of abuse and their families. Over the past few years, victims’ experiences have sometimes caused them to suggest that the system works in favour of the accused. Sometimes victims and their families prefer to avoid appearing and even take “hush money” and get on with their lives.
Our Victim Support Scheme started in 2013, with funding from the British High Commission, in order to support those going through this process. Now, as well as supporting those referred to us via CID, we support a range of other people who generally refer themselves. They can be right at the beginning of the journey, wishing to make a report about a current or past incident of abuse, or they could be finding it challenging to “get over” the experience of traumatic investigation and cross-examination during Preliminary Inquiries, protracted court proceedings, public humiliation, or even victimisation from the accused on bail or his family, in person or on the internet.
Tina Alexander, Executive Director of Lifeline Ministries, and one of the founding members of the NGO Coalition for the Protection of Children remarked, “The amendments to the Sexual Offences Act will make a difference although they are slow in coming! so will the Family Court System which will hopefully replace the archaic Preliminary Inquiry system. However in the meantime we have children as young as 8 appearing in the court as key witnesses and both they, and their distraught parents, need support. Victims and their families need help to recover and Welfare are not resourced sufficiently even to investigate professionally let alone provide psychosocial support that is needed for healing.”
Our next Victim supporters course will take place on Thursday evenings in May and June at the Conference Room in the Police Headquarters from 4.30 -6.30pm.
The course is carded to begin on 12th May, The are just 20 places and participants must commit to all six sessions.
In order to register for the course please call Lifeline on 2758367 or 4498593 or email [email protected] for an application form.
If shortlisted for an interview you will be contacted to come for a brief individual meeting with the course leader Tina Alexander on the 5th or 6th May
As we are aware of, there are all sorts of child abuse.
The innocent and vulnerable ones must be protected from also sexual abuse. However, I emphasize this commences with parents.
Throughout Dominica, there are some parents who are incapable of advising, cautioning and disciplining their children some, due to their personal lifestyle.
Every adult should be advised accordingly.
There are some teenagers who have not yet attained adulthood, referred to as minors. These must also be disciplined. Some of them do not listen to and obey their parents. They think they know it all more than adults, their parents and do not act as children.
I do think there should be a curfew for these underage teenagers – no going out at nights without responsible adult supervision. In so doing, it will benefit the future generations.
You must commence with relevant discipline. Otherwise your efforts will be in vain.
yes give your support to Ian and Sikiri because it seems that they are more victim than the victims.
So a foreigner has to come down to tell us how to treat our women? What haas Dominica come to nah?
I know some one would make a stupid comment like that. Does it matter where support comes from? I would think that the result is what matters. There Dominicans doing the same thing all over the world. Should the people of Canada and US not use the expertise of “foreigners” including Dominicans? We need all the help that is available. For too long Dominicans as a society have stood by a watch men abuse women and children and do nothing. We all know those that drunk every night go see their women then go home and beat their wife and children. YOU ALLL NEED THE HELP. Say thank god and tak it, participate, make a difference.
Sams Gutter:
Thank you for this comment.
I thought the comment made by Real Stuff was immature and inappropriate especially in this day and age when “equality” is a value many of us want to promote.
If a person of good character has something to contribute I don’t care if they come from Mars
The word “foreigner” seems out of place in this context.
Sams Gutter’s thinking would tear a big chunk out of my own work. I serve in other countries where I am a foreigner. Thankfully, they are gracious enough to accept me and sometimes invite me back.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.
Just think of her as a woman with an external perspective.
Sams Gutter:
Sorry!
My last paragraph should begin by saying …
“Real Stuff’s thinking…” NOT “Sam Gutter’s thinking…
Please forgive!
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill, Evangelist.
Which foreigner are you referring to? This lady has laboured in DA for years and years… If we do not know then someone has to tell us…. Many so called foreigners do more for us than those born and bred in the land.
We have Dominicans living in Canada who are bright hard working people. We welcome them! We are thankful for the contributions they make to Canadian life.
On the pastoral staff of our church – PEEL PENTECOTAL TABERNACLE – in Brampton, Ontario – a congregation of 700 people on many Sunday mornings where I sometimes preach, we have a Black pastor from Jamaica. He has B.A., and M.Div. degrees after his name. Among other things he conducts a counseling ministry for our congregation and community. Sure, there are White pastors who could do the job. But I doubt if any could do it better. His wife is also a gifted musician and presently serves as our youth pastor. The same applies.
Personally, I am an international evangelist. I conduct gospel services and teaching seminars on islands of the Caribbean, and in many nations.
Brains, talent, and soul have nothing to do with our place of birth, nationality, citizenship, or the color of our skin.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill…
I am calling on all mothers and young girls to meet to discuss a planned demonstration against child abuse in all it forms in Dominica.
If I receive a lot of likes I will follow up with the next meeting points. Don’t be scared , its your future you are securing.
What will another demonstration do. We need concrete actions…. like persons willing to take on the legal issues & provide support to victims etc….
“What will another demonstration do?”
A demonstration is intended to catch the attention of your politicians. It says “We are here. This is what we want.”
The better attended the demonstration the louder it speaks.
You are letting your politicians know you count.
You are the citizens
You are the tax payers
You are the voters
At election time you will remember. You are going to vote for the candidates who reflect your values.
Begin well in advance to plan and promote a demonstration.
(a) Let those KNOW who believe in your cause and will stand, rally, or march with you.
(b) Use the media to announce the demonstration. Get what free publicity you can but don’t be afraid to spend a bit of money in advertising. Be clear on the date, time, and place.
(c) Have large, bright, colorful signs made and make sure people see them!
(d) Sing! Chant!
You may be required to get permission from the police or local officials.
Sincerely, Rev…
Thank you for your efforts in supporting the victims of abuse. Because as we have seen from recent events is how victims have received more abused from the very authorities who were elected to protect them.
Where are all the God fearing women in Dominica to set-up marches against child abuse?
Maybe they afraid they would offend the men in power? Do not worry with that just do it for the kids.
This I an excellent program.
There are many who could come forward as witnesses but they say they don’t want to get involved. The truth is they have certain fears.
As a result of their reluctance criminals walk, and no doubt some re-offend.
None of us know when we could be called upon to testify and we know we would face the fears that witnesses face. A program that will help us deal in advance with these fears is a valuable tool in the war on crime. We are not talking here about merely minor offences. The more serious the crime the more important the witness is, and the harder it is to take the stand.
This seems to be a new project. It would be good to see it implemented in Canada. I hope you will push ahead. Let those who love justice not be lacking. I hope many will sign up.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.
(Former Licensed Private Investigator under the Ontario Provincial Police. License No. 142306)
Why at the Police Headquarters…get some place else..Convent High School..do not scare them..they must be relaxed
It is important that our victim supporters are familiar with the Police Headquarters so they can support those who need to make a report.
Also I have to say the current Police Commissioner has been very supportive of our service and has ensured we have an airconditioned meeting place free.
In addition we are having meetings for children and survivors in less intimidating venues, you are right many “victims” have felt victimised by the process of reporting.