October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The Arts for Violence Prevention program of the Cultural Division of the Government of Dominica and Bureau of Gender Affairs continues to raise awareness of Dominican youth about the issue of relationship violence/abuse.
This year’s activities designed to be interactive uses the arts including storytelling and poetry as catalysts for discussion on related themes.
Launching the month’s activities, a school assembly was held at the Isiah Thomas Secondary School on October 3rd featuring speeches by Ms. Kyra Paul director of the Bureau of Gender Affairs, readings of Ras Mo’s poetry related to domestic violence and the role of sexism and gender socialization by students and a performance by Ras Mo.
On October 10th another activity, targeting boys, was held at St Mary’s Primary. With continued focus on prevention education, the presentations to 6th grade classes were facilitated by staff of Delmance Ras Mo Moses, Mrs. Melissa Morgan, Miss Nandia Lewis, Miss Arlene Gregoire, Kimani Lapps, and Mrs. Josephine Dublin-Prince.
The management staff and of the Saint Mary’s Primary responded positively while students participated enthusiastically with a wide range of questions and contribution to the discussion.
The next Domestic Violence Prevention presentation will be at the Castle Bruce Secondary School on October 23rd.
Domestic violence exists not only in Dominica but in my own nation (Canada) and I expect in every country.
It is no respecter of race, religion, financial status, or social standing. This is because various causes contribute and some of these causes are found everywhere.
What we know is that:
Poverty sometimes is a factor. It is more common among the poorly educated. Alcohol use is often a factor making the violence more dangerous. An abused child or person who witnessed domestic violence
while growing up is at risk of becoming an abuser. It is a ”condition” that spreads from generation to generation so it is important to stop it.
It is important to get people who act violently in their homes and are abusive to family members into counseling if a good program is available. It is not enough to just talk to a pastor. Not every pastor is a counselor. They need professional counseling and should be in a program.
Continuation:
Added to counselling (and not in place of it) the healing effect of regular attendance at church should not be under estimated. Christ centered worship services and the ministry of a Bible teaching pastor will help all those who attend and open their minds and hearts to God. We need God IN our homes if we want His
Presence to heal and guide our lives. Begin to have a regular ”devotional time” of reading from the Bible and offering prayer with your family.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill.
Where is the Dominica council for woment in all these activities. Are they one of the agent which advocate to stop to reduce domestic volence. I am just asking???????
One of the facilitators Josephine Dublin-Prinece is from the Dominica National Council of Women. The agencies mentioned are the organizers but the DNCW is involved and represented in the work.
Big up Castle Bruce Secondary School one time!