Victims of domestic violence overwhelmingly women

domestic violenceStatistics from the ‘Central Registry on Domestic Violence’ are showing that the victims of domestic violence in Dominica are overwhelmingly women.

Even more disheartening, the statistics show that women under the age of 16 are widely abused on the island.

The statistics show that between July 2011 and mid-October 2015 there were over 1,041 reported cases of domestic violence in Dominica.

Of that total, 88 percent were women.

The statistics also show that 52 percent of  the victims of domestic violence are women under the age of 16.

The Central Registry on Domestic Violence reveals that 47 percent of victims are related to their perpetrator.

Paul said there is no justification for violence
Paul said there is no justification for violence

Acting Director of the Bureau of Gender Affairs, Kyra Paul told Dominica News Online that there is no justification for such kinds of violence.

“We are all basic human beings and we are all meant to live free from any form of violation…” she stated.

She said violence against women and girls is particularly wrong because it is a violation of basic human rights and the right to live free from harm.

“We know that violence does not only cause pain and suffering but it also impedes our physical integrity. We know that violence against women and girls in any form, whether it is physical, sexual abuse, is a major problem globally and even there in our own little Dominica we continue to see violence and we continue to have reports on violence against women and girls,” she stated.

She also called on the public to stop blaming victims.

“We are calling on all of us to desist from that kind of behaviour, to engage in more positive conversations that surround the issue and let’s discuss the prevalence and what it means to you and I, what it means to our future children, what it means to the children now who are at school, what it means to the children who are exposed to those kinds of behaviours,” she remarked.

Paul added, “Let us engage in positive discussions so that we can actually create safe spaces, whether it is at work, whether it’s at school, whether it’s within the church, whether it’s within the community, whether it’s on the cyberspace, but let us create that kind of space for women and girls so they can live a life free from those kinds of behaviours.”

She indicated that men, or any perpetrators of violence, should be able to deal with conflicts without being violent.

“There are alternatives to dealing with conflicts, people have to learn a little bit more about anger issues and a little bit more about tolerance,” she noted. “There is always an alternative so that we can solve the disputes that we have within the families. Only when we are able to do so then we will see improved relationships between our spouses, we will see improved relationships between child and father.”

She believes that men should value women in society.

“These are the women that we go to bed with, these are the women who mother our children, these are the women we engage in relations with,” she explained. “We need to improve the kind of relationship that we see in society and one of the ways we need to do that is for men to change their attitude towards women, they need to understand that this is a partner, there is something called equality and that women are your partners and they should be valued on a number of dimensions…”

On Wednesday (today) the Bureau of Gender Affairs is launching its 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.

The event is a time to galvanise action to end violence against women and girls around the world.

Each year the campaign has provided a rallying point for the governments, NGOs, CBOs and other stakeholders in the region to mount events aimed at raising awareness, influencing behaviour change and securing high-level political commitment to end gender violence.

The campaign takes place annually in the period between 25 November and 10 December.

Recently there were two cases of violence against women which sent shockwaves through the nation.

On November 3, Triscia Riviere, 26, of Stockfarm was reportedly killed by her boyfriend. Thirty-year-old Rodman Moses Lewis has been charged with her murder.

On November 23, a young lady was viciously attacked and chopped by her boyfriend at her workplace in Roseau.

Copyright 2012 Dominica News Online, DURAVISION INC. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.

Disclaimer: The comments posted do not necessarily reflect the views of DominicaNewsOnline.com and its parent company or any individual staff member. All comments are posted subject to approval by DominicaNewsOnline.com. We never censor based on political or ideological points of view, but we do try to maintain a sensible balance between free speech and responsible moderating.

We will delete comments that:

  • contain any material which violates or infringes the rights of any person, are defamatory or harassing or are purely ad hominem attacks
  • a reasonable person would consider abusive or profane
  • contain material which violates or encourages others to violate any applicable law
  • promote prejudice or prejudicial hatred of any kind
  • refer to people arrested or charged with a crime as though they had been found guilty
  • contain links to "chain letters", pornographic or obscene movies or graphic images
  • are off-topic and/or excessively long

See our full comment/user policy/agreement.

18 Comments

  1. Giilan uk
    December 25, 2020

    Stand up for your rights woman of the world I am a victim of Dominican born Man.living illegally
    In the uk . ITs Seriously sad that Dominica men see woman below them an struggle with a woman’s (Black woman ) independants I was hit on by this man verbally abused used cheated an lied to me . He was very little educated on life an sadly I had to contact the law due to threats an damage to my property . He now hiding out waiting to be arrested an charge then hopefully deported 1the men must learn too educate themselves on humanity an stop hiding around woman of strength an strong minds the parents never gave love an shared respect .first thing in life to learn Respect your self . An respect a next mans child

  2. ?
    November 26, 2015

    why is it overwhelming? when you think of “domestic violence” automatically you imagine the female getting beaten up. to say that the victims being overwhelmingly women should not be a surprise. especially with a “macho” society where men are “supposed” to be tough and sometimes lack emotional expression. if you do they call you maco and other feminine names. so off course the abused man will keep his abuse to himself our of fear of being shamed or made fun off. the statistics are not overwhelming. the fact show mostly women report their abuse. someone stated something about men using material things or money as bait for women. in truth a lot of women use their privates as bait to get material things. who is the abuser then?

  3. mine
    November 26, 2015

    Some of us being in denial and accept it many times harming ourselves saying is love, but what love got to do with it. You must love God, yourself and others.

  4. The Real Facts
    November 25, 2015

    Some people do not know how to communicate and get along with others. Ask them a question respectfully and note how they will reply. It is as if they are always angry and are in a shouting match.
    Even on this Website it is noticeable. This should also be a concern. If some people disagree or are displeased with a comment, they will call the writer idiot, stupid and other derogatory names. This also refers to supporting one political Party over another.
    Do they not know that they project aggressiveness of all and are abusive to their fellow D/cans whom they do not know and may never meet? I view this attitude as also ignorant. If they could address these people as mentioned, how much more those whom they personally know?
    Education and good example at an early age is absolutely necessary. Parents and school authorities must get involved in educating youths, to high school.
    There has been a lot of talking and no action. The time is now to do something about it.

  5. ashamed
    November 25, 2015

    Great Job Kyra! There are so many of us out there! These men, they go around different women, then u just want out. But no! they need you to be a part of their circus. You try to leave the circus and they try to harm you so that no one else will have you.
    #TheReality

  6. November 25, 2015

    This evil is not limited to Dominica. It exists in my country (Canada) as well. I do not know how the stats would compare because I do not have Canadian stats in front of me. Dominicans are doing something to combat the problem. Thank God for Kyra Paul, and others like her.

    Disagreements will erupt between individuals living under the same roof. In the best of situations the exchange will be only verbal not physical, and will be brief.

    When it becomes physical in most cases it is the woman who gets hurt. This may be because the man is bigger, and usually stronger. He tends to be more aggressive. God made him that way to be the guardian and protector off his family. Sometimes in undisciplined men these positive features manifest in wrong ways.

    Continued …

    • November 25, 2015

      Continuation…

      If the man becomes a chronic abuser and is the sole breadwinner the woman may feel trapped with no place to go. An abusive situation usually gets worse. This is especially true if it is compounded by alcohol. It can become life threatening.

      Often a woman who sees no alternative and feels she has to stay with her partner and suffer. This is the reason many stay. We advise her to talk to a pastor or get marriage counseling. She does not have to stay in harms way. Normally a woman should not leave her husband. (1 Corinthians 7:10) But in this situation she is not leaving him. He is driving her out.

      If there are children involved arrangements must be made for them. Usually they go with the mother. Sometimes a trusted family member can help. In no way should they be left with an abusive father.

      Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist. (Pastoral Counselor Certificate.)

      • The Real Facts
        November 25, 2015

        With all types of people in the world, no exception Canada, this will occur. There are times even a kind word could get some people angry. Some people are consistently angry.
        There is a manner of communicating which could avert frictions and make others smile, even though they are wrong. It takes diplomacy.
        Domestic problems are the worst. How can one consistently disregard the other party’s indifferent attitude?
        Some adults are set in their ways and will never change. Some refuse to change. It is difficult to live with and interact with such people.
        It may be too late to educate some adults. However, it is not too late to educate children to adulthood. If they are not disciplined accordingly, consider what they will be like as adults. Consider what type of person, husband/wife.co-worker, supervisor, etc., they will make.
        The late Saint Pope John Paul II stated in one of his writings, “As the family goes, so goes the world.” We note this occurring today.

  7. truththe
    November 25, 2015

    Why the women bureau, DNCW and Men organization join together to help educate our Nation. To deal with abuse of all sort must be a intersectoral approach, all must be involved. The Policy makers, Religious, men , women , youth, media, lawyers and children. We are inneed of mass Education Programme and Legislation. Go to the schools, on the blocks, the rum shops, community meetings , join with Village councils if they still exsist. We need to have a positive move. I am aware of all the work DNCW did in the 1900’s. We need an other shake, some must sacrifice time for neighbours.
    Remember where there is increase poverty there will be increase abuse. Stop working as individualists, as a united group more will be achieved.

    • out of south city
      November 25, 2015

      I agree.

  8. Edrav
    November 25, 2015

    what is being reported is just a tip of the iceberg.. we will witness the proliferation of violence like never seen before…

  9. Analy Thomas
    November 25, 2015

    I certainly agree with your interview regarding the rights of women Kyra Paul. I know that there needs to be a level of respect and equilibrium throughout a relational structure, whether married, common law, lovers or family members. I also believe that our ancestors have learnt with whips on their backs, our grand parents and parents were taught with whips and they have passed on what they have learnt through generations. not covering for anyone since I am against abuse of any sort, I do believe that the ones who know best must lend and ear and a hand if possible to both the victim and the perpetrator.
    We have sat down for too long with the assumption that everyone knows how to control their emotions and actions. We are not all the same. A clear example is through our trend of thought/attitudes on this Island toward education, hard work, and others.
    Though I believe that not all abuses are reported, more women seem to report these incidents than men which also affects data.

  10. November 25, 2015

    Iam 54 years old D omestic voilenceence has been going on in my country all my life , THE POICEMEN MEN ARE DOING it, Fathers are doing it,MOTHERS ARE DOING IT, THE children are seeing it what are going to happen,It is time to put a end to that. We are a little bit to late for all whose who lost their lives because of this but we can start and stand up together and say enough is enough. Start by teaching our children to respect themselves and no one has the right to put their hands on you. Let all of us END IT NOW.

  11. pamelab
    November 25, 2015

    Why is the article saying women under the age of 16 are being abused? Are girls aged 15 and below considered to be women? I think the article should read ” females under 16 and not women, since 17 years and under are still classified as children.

    • Daily Bugle
      November 25, 2015

      I think the word ‘women’ in that context speaks of the female population under the age of 16. It is correct the same way the word women is used in the phrase ‘women rights’ to describe rights of humans of the female gender regardless of age. The use of women in that context was simply applied since it all falls under ‘women rights’

  12. Big Bannan
    November 25, 2015

    Dominica needs strict laws that prevent teachers from beating at our schools. I consider it child abuse.

  13. too late
    November 25, 2015

    it is even ALLEGED that men in top positions like advisers who dangle their private parts in front of vulnerable women seeking financial assistance. no wonder the victims are predominantly women

  14. too late
    November 25, 2015

    yes the victims are mostly women because dem fellas does violate women with the promise of scholarships as their tool

Post a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

:) :-D :wink: :( 8-O :lol: :-| :cry: 8) :-? :-P :-x :?: :oops: :twisted: :mrgreen: more »

 characters available