UWP leader condemns recent “brutal murders,” calls for increased protection for victims of domestic violence

Dr. Thomson Fontaine

Political leader of the United Workers Party (UWP), Dr. Thomson Fontaine, has condemned the killing of two women in Dominica within hours of each other and is calling for more protection of those who are victims of domestic violence.

In a statement on Saturday, he described the two murders as “senseless” and “brutal,” saying Dominicans were saddened by the killings.

On Friday morning, Velma Valmond, a medical student of the Kalinago Territory was killed allegedly by her boyfriend in Goodwill. Police said she was found on a the bathroom floor in a pool of blood with a severe laceration across her neck.

Mere hours later, early Saturday morning, Avanelle Charles, of Morne Prosper was reportedly killed by her longtime boyfriend in the community following an argument.

The two murders sent shock waves through Dominica and Dr. Fontaine said the two suffered violent deaths from those who were expected to protect them.

“Let me on the behalf of the UWP, extend heartfelt and sincere condolences to the families of those impacted by these tragic events while strongly condemning these acts of violence,” he said. “Their deaths come at a time when families are normally celebrating love and togetherness during the Christmas holidays and looking forward with considerable expectations to the New Year.”

He added that the deaths of the two women, along with those who have suffered similar fates in the past, should not be allowed to go in vain.

“In addition to bringing those responsible to justice, now is an opportune time to focus our attention on the increasing incidents of domestic violence and abuse, particularly directed against women and girls that continues to plague our island nation as in a stronger message to the perpetrators that any act of violence is unacceptable,” Dr. Fontaine said.

He stressed that the incidents are part of an “ongoing and alarming pattern” of abuse and domestic violence against women and girls on the island.

“An important question to consider is whether those facing such violent abuse have the recourse to government or other support programs,” he added. “For example, is there a hot line that they can call confidentially to report abuse, or to seek counseling. What about targeted campaigns aimed at those who would commit such acts of violence?”

The UWP leader stated that he knows that the current government has allowed institutions such as the Bureau of Gender Affaris, the Women’s Bureau and the Welfare Division, which played key roles to supporting women in the past, to continue operations without the necessary resources that they require.

“While our government is quick to dispense millions on flying entertainers from around the globe, it seems unwilling or unable to invest in the welfare of its people,” he said. “The victims of domestic violence should have the recourse of professional help and should not feel like the must shoulder the burden on their own.”

Dr. Fontaine is now appealing to the government to invest in various programs, including a hot line, provision of a safe haven and other support mechanisms for the large number of women and girls who, he said, are almost on a daily basis continue to be victims of abuse and domestic violence.

“These victims should also be able to have swift recourse to our legal system that will provide them with the necessary protection,” he remarked. “Too many of these cases continue to languish before the courts, some for years on end. In that regard, the UWP calls upon the authorities to tighten the enforcement of existing legislation against perpetrators of such violence and deal expeditiously with the pending cases.”

He stated that the UWP is also calling on the government to review and strengthen existing laws to offer more protection from violence to women and girls in Dominica and stiffer penalties for perpetrators.

“We also call on the government to ensure that measures are put in place to safeguard the dignity and integrity of our women and girls,” he said.

Dr. Fontaine also sent a direct message to men in Dominica.

“Men of Dominica, I appeal to you, please respect our women and girls,” he remarked. “Violence of any kind against anyone in any relationship should never be an option. Find ways to speak of your differences and undertake to seek non-violent options to resolve them but show respect to those seemingly more vulnerable amongst us. Let us serve to protect them. Let us as Dominicans continue to work together to end this cycle of domestic violence in our beautiful country.”

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25 Comments

  1. B
    January 8, 2023

    Good recourse layout when you consider how far the law exists away from us. In the hands of a judge two, three, four or five years later, in an environment equipped to handle extended policy of law, functioning in their capacity as in the suggested hotline recourse layout. Good effort, but hope it is received in just legal consideration. Blessed.

  2. Lin clown
    January 4, 2023

    You are a liar just like the rest of UWP.The police have investigated hundreds of domestic reports,everytime the abuser is brought before the court the abused person does not show up for the hearing.When a report of domestic violence is made to the police whether the complainant is at court or not the COURT should proceed with the case.Every domestic violence report made to the police somebody should be charged and let the court decide.

    • dissident
      January 5, 2023

      Jealousy, grudgefulness and hatred is just another section in de root that breeds evil!!!!!!

  3. JAH KAL
    January 3, 2023

    Dominicans what a you all waiting for ? Blackmore should already be pickup. Austrie told you all about it, he said we all supporting him.
    Please tell we the people why blackmore walking the streets of Dominica , where as the other guys have to pay for their crime, you all waiting for him to kill for that to happen. Dominica you all should make Blackmore an
    example. There are a few police officers that doing the same thing you all know them pick them up to, those fools.

  4. Love I
    January 3, 2023

    The System has failed abuse victims. The lady had 7 children and she reported him to the Police. They said they not getting involved..where is the Chief of Police to find out which nincompoop took the report. They never investigate. They don’t go to support the victims. These guys should be picked up. Very sad indeed. Women defend yourself please. May these women rest in peace!

  5. Ibo France
    January 3, 2023

    A good leader shows empathy and commiserate with people during times adversity.

    Dr. Thompson has shown the characteristics of good leadership by not only sympathizing with the families of the two deceased young women but roundly condemning this murderous trend. Heartless Roosevelt, on the other hand, has nothing to offer the two grieving families. He may be too busy planning his next overseas trip to embellish his wealth.

    His Christmas and New Year’s messages of hope for the future is nothing but a facade to assuage the fears and anxieties of a desperately impoverished citizenry.

    The present state of affairs in the country, more particularly, these two most horrendous murders, the refusal of Roosevelt to address this alarming situation, has proven beyond a shadow of doubt, he is a blight on this country. We MUST demand that he exit office for Dominica to rise from the coal dust.

    Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 5 Thumb down 4
    • January 4, 2023

      Maybe the Government should build a house called the “HOUSE OF RUTH” to shelter and house victims of Domestic Violence. These folks also need love too.

    • elizabethlxavier
      January 5, 2023

      Ibo France, why am I reading this comment from you here, while in a later article above, you decried that, that same Dr. Thompson whom you are praising here, something about him asking DNO to take down a News Article, which was from him?

      I am now beginning to think that people on this comment board are quite unsure about what they choose to believe, eh! This is sad!

  6. mine
    January 2, 2023

    What these guys did was pure evil but there lots more of them out there that did or doing the same abuse to women. No human being should get no kind of abuse from others.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
  7. MEME
    January 1, 2023

    My condolences to the victims family. What is very vexing to me is that the criminal justice system has failed so many Dominicans. Dominica is bleeding, and it has been so for many years now. Very good that there is a major outcry now about the vicious murdering of the 2 ladies, but are we being listened to? If yes, By whom?
    What we have seen on this rock is that murderers kill today and out on the streets tomorrow!! Where is the outcry?. In fact one such murderer (while on bail), took his liberty on the streets one step further. He went to PMH and killed again!! We spoke about it for a day, and forget that. This country is totally dysfunctional. All our institutions are dyfunctional, the police, the criminal justice system, the electoral commissoon, the IPO, etc, etc, and we are experiencing an absolute tailspin. Those who are supposed to put laws in place to protect the citizenry are preoccupied in other corruptible things. Noone can fix it for us but ourselves.!
    Are we prepared…

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 3
  8. Funeral home
    January 1, 2023

    Since after the deaths of late PM Rosie Douglas Pierre Charles, there’s been a very sharp increase in violence and strange things happening in Dominica as if the blood of these two national heroes are crying against us.
    Back on Christmas Eve of 2009 there was an unusual flooding that flooded our city. Then on early Christmas Day in 2010, gangsters attempted to murder GON Emmanuel and his wife when they firebombed them inside the house. I think it was during our independence of 2022 we heard of gun man entering the China/ Skerrit hospital to kill a patient on the ward.
    On Christmas Day of 2022 we heard of the shooting of a young man in the quiet village of Paix Bouche. Days later a woman, a medical doctor, was brutally killed in Goodwill followed by another murder less than a day later in the peaceful and quiet village of Morne Prosper.
    Most of these crimes if not all have not even been solved. So could it be the blood of Rosie and Pierro crying? Just seems like demons are lose…

    Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 5 Thumb down 5
  9. My little take
    January 1, 2023

    I am waiting to hear what prime minister Roosevelt Skerrit has to say before I give my two cents. After all he is the pM and his wife Melissa is also an elected member of the house so I bet he will have something to say about domestic violence especially the cause of domestic violence

    Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 8 Thumb down 5
    • Accountant
      January 2, 2023

      Him? He has no time for things like that! He too busy checking his various private bank accounts in various countries.

      Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 4
    • January 3, 2023

      I will respond for the PM: Go get a life , bum and get off that medium with your Ponzi Leader of the UWP. More sh.. from you all in 2023, disgruntled bums. Fontaine is just a carbon copy of ugly Lenny. As one record quits, another one sticks. The year just started, only three years old and, you all talking more sh… Did you all enjoy your Christmas holidays?

      • Ibo France
        January 4, 2023

        Do this man’s comments reflect the caliber of a university graduate with more degrees than that of a thermometer?

        His subriquet (ds) gives one A clear indication of who he is – Duck Stool.

        • January 4, 2023

          I will correct your English grammar once again – no problem. It is not “Do this man” but rather, “Does this man”. Since I am college educated, it is incumbent on me to correct the English of my dear friend.

    • January 3, 2023

      Skerrit does not control people’s minds. People do what their mind tells them to do, regardless.

  10. Plaintiff
    December 31, 2022

    There has to be an All Party stand. Gender issues is not just about dressing up nice for a photo opportunity, playing Barby dolls in town and pretending that we are developing. Depth in leadership is required to address this ill in the society. 2 women killed by partners and one assailant at large? What, no long articulate speech by the PM? the reset button on pause?

  11. Voice in the wilderness
    December 31, 2022

    Dr Fontaine some people in top positions on island are victims of domestic violence and is not protection they need.
    Fact is proverbs 19:34 tells us “Righteousness will exalt the people and sin diminishes a people.”
    What is happening in our country today is total absence of Righteousness and we tend to treat it as if we don’t hear don’t see attitude.
    I was young and not too young now but never have I heard or seen our leaders be it pastors, priests, politicians, government ministers, educators or others, involved in so much blatant immortality and unrighteousness as we see today ! We hear some of them beating women to the point where babies of beaten women died and mo questions asked. We hear of men beating their wife but yet we just made these wife beaters honorable.
    In my 67 years of life never have I heard rumors of Hon husband with concubines and Honorable wife in her mess but now we treat it as the new norm.
    Righteousness will exalt the people and sin diminishes a people.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 2
    • Voice in the wilderness
      December 31, 2022

      Sorry proverbs 14:34 says “Righteousness will exalt the people and sin diminishes a people.”
      What we see happening in Dominica today especially with out top leaders in NOT righteousness !!!
      Where are the Christian voices crying against the spirit of adultery and unrighteousness on island?
      When the head is corrupt expect every part to be corrupt too because the body feeds from the top.
      There is only one solution to the problem we have in Dominica today . We just need to cut off that head that’s brought us to shame and reproach in every area. That’s why 1Tim 3;2 says “That’s why officials must have a good reputation and be faithful in marriage.” Contemporary version
      We cannot have officials running pipes in women all over and think it will not become a reproach to our people
      Again, righteousness exalts a nation but sin is a reproach to any people.
      My condolences to the families of those victims

  12. La Boo
    December 31, 2022

    That’s what good governance looks like. I have been calling on civic, religious, and governmental leaders to speak out on the violence occurring on the island in a timely manner. A home for abused women and girls that is secured and protected from the public is also needed.

    Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 6 Thumb down 5
  13. Eugene Francis
    December 31, 2022

    Let me first sympathies with the families involved ,i trust God is the only to strengthen you.
    But, Mr Fountaine did you check how many times you called on this government to do this and that, the same government i thought you and party said was for you all non existant. Think before you speak also before you write.

    Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 1 Thumb down 12
    • Rhonda
      January 2, 2023

      BS is all you people can contribute.

      Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 1
    • Clarity
      January 3, 2023

      Of course you have to call the acting government non existence if they don’t act and do the right thing. They are the governing party of the country so everyone including opposition haver to call upon them to act as servants of the people of Dominica. Their duty is solely to act on behalf of the people of the country so any issues that impact the citizens, falls at their feet to be responsible to fix it, NOT the opposition parties.

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