Simeon Joseph laments lack of outrage over domestic violence by women groups in Dominica 

Simeon Joseph

Sociologist, Simeon Joseph has expressed concerns over the lack of outcry by women’s groups over the issue of domestic violence in Dominica.

He was speaking on local radio station Q95 against the backdrop of two women who were brutally slain allegedly by the partners late last year.

“I was hoping to hear an outcry,” Joseph remarked.

The murders of student doctor, Velma Valmond and Avanelle Charles in less than 24 hours in December 2022 shocked Dominica and the matter of domestic violence, especially against women, became national discourse.

But according to Joseph there has been little condemnation by women’s groups on the island.

“Can you imagine very few national women’s associations has condemned that,” he stated.

He said there a the girl guides, women’s groups, women’s association and women politicians in Dominica but they all appear to be silent.

“We have associations of principles in Dominica made up of women,” he said. “We have several woman calypsonians prominent enough with a voice that can speak up and say why is this happening to us, why is it that these women could have been so brutally murdered.”

Joseph stated that even after the gruesome murders, Dominica has simply returned to normalcy.

“Right after these gruesome things, we have just gone back to normal,” he said. “Drinking rum, sewoing, partying, feteing, celebrating as if we don’t have no pause, we have not stop to think or to listen. We continue on our merry way.”

He also pointed to the general silence over the case of 12-year-old Kernisha Ettiene who was abducted from her home in Warner in June 2022 and has not been found since.

“We have certainly gone quiet about it,” he remarked. “It’s as if Kernisha has just evaporated and none of us don’t care. We are silent about it.”

 

Editor’s Note: Please note that the Family Empowerment Movement Inc. (FEM Inc.) has issued a statement on the matter which was published by Dominica News Online (DNO).

Here’s the link to the article:   https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/features/commentary/statement-by-family-empowerment-movement-inc-on-gender-based-violence/

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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.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.

14 Comments

  1. D-Lay-D
    February 1, 2023

    Dominica is not Dominica anymore. That we must understand. The good days have left the station 22 years ago and it was a one way ticket to the abyss. It’s not coming back. I saw recently at a carnival parade where a sizable number of little girls as young as 6 years old doing a sex gyration at the sound of music. I felt sick to the stomach. No wonder they are being sexually abused by loved ones and strangers alike. Dominica has gone to the Dogs. If you are very observant you will notice folks having sex in public places in broad daylight. A curse, or curses have been poured over Dominica. Plus, we welcome and embrace strangers who delight in witchcraft and obeah. Thus, the Cycle keeps doing what a Cycle does.

  2. Accountant
    January 31, 2023

    Most women’s groups in DA are avid admirers and faithful followers of the CM who condoned this kind of behaviour for almost 20 years by members of his cabal, his ministers and dare I say himself. No wonder then that they keep quiet in order not to fall from favour. CORRUPTION!

  3. Bwa-Banday
    January 29, 2023

    Mr. Joseph you are slated for parliament one day soon. Even if its as a senator but we need fearless patriots like you with no brakes on your tongue that can tell it like it is respectfully. Oh how I wish you were selected as an opposition senator this time around. You and Sean would have made a dynamic duo to dey-fon-say the kinder-garden cabinet. I know the cabal would love to silence you but, who Jah bless no man can curse. Stay blessed and safe.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 3
  4. Love I
    January 28, 2023

    Very true Simeon. Everyone getting moomoo in DA.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 2
  5. Lin clown
    January 27, 2023

    Domestic abuse should be condemned in all it’s form.Domestic abuse sometimes lead to physical violence on both sides.It is a fact women abuse men more than men do women.A man’s violence is more expressed in a domestic matter in that he takes his level of violence to the extreme.There are hundreds of men with scratch and bite marks all over their bodies.I know women who have burn men’s clothes,lock them out of the house,empty the house of furniture,take them to court for child mentainance,only for the real father to claim later.I know women who, in a domestic argument would lock the door to prevent the man from leaving the house when he try to.On the other hand our women are insecure.An educated,independent,beautiful and hard working woman will fall in love with an uneducated,lazy,weed smoking,two front teeth guy,that is a recipe for violence if she decides to leave.It is what it is but we cannot doubt women is the weaker sex and must be respected.

    Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 7 Thumb down 10
  6. Putin
    January 27, 2023

    Lol! When and how did Simeon become a “sociologist?!” :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: DNO, gimme a break, tan!

    Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 3 Thumb down 10
  7. Me Too
    January 27, 2023

    Please get a life, you are just looking for publicity! How can an outsider prevent these despicable acts? As a woman who has been in a similar situation, a person will do what you allow them to do to you. So often we are living under the same roof and you are completely unaware of the abuse. Before blaming society men like you need to educate the young men with the dirty lyrics.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 5
  8. MEME
    January 27, 2023

    Well said Mr Joseph.. But remember also, there was only fleeting condemnation of the fatal shooting at our main hospital in Goodwill, something that shocked me to the maximum…So it shows the decadance into which society has plunged today, relative to the days when one murder was considered ONE too many.. Well it seem like the women organisations have plunged into hibernation, while the women politicians have lost their tongues…Have you heard of [the allegged case] of Baby Sarah Mr Joseph? Did you hear female politician from a particular political party condemn anything?…No Sir! They were protecting the [alleged]perpetrator!!!
    So this society has retrogressed to such an extent that it’s almost at the point of no return. But kudos to those like you, who valiently stand up and talk on all acts of evil, even if you all get the wrath of a vile and inveterate LIAR, posing as a leader…
    What hurts me to the core though, is the slap on the wrist those murderers get for their crimes…!
    This is indeed a sick…

    ADMIN: We believe politicians should be held accountable but we have also not been unable to verify the “baby Sarah” rumours.

    Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 7 Thumb down 6
  9. Truth Be Told
    January 27, 2023

    They don’t want to bring down the country, according to their dear leader! Politics have professional Dominicans who should know better acting stupid and dottish for politics sake!
    Gone are the days when we were a politically and socially critically constructive nation from Miss Charles to Rosie Douglas, no matter what political party you supported!
    Nowadays, from UWI Dominica to the man in the street, from top civil servants to the lowly paid worker on the ground, everybody moomoo and dottish because we love our PM, and to call out any wrongdoing is seen as bringing down the country according to our dear leader! It is as if we are living in China, Iran, South Korea or those countries where citizens are afrain to be critical of wrongdoing in their society and governance! So many lawyers and degree holders in Dominica today compared to years ago, but no voice! Useless intelligence! Shame on us Dominicans! That should be a calypso!

    Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 6 Thumb down 3
    • Truth Be Told
      January 27, 2023

      Admin that should be North Korea!

    • Roger Burnett
      January 30, 2023

      I agree!

      And sadly, this fear of being critical has affected the creative arts. It our painters, poets, playwrites and authors who should be in the vanguard for critically constructive change. But those who should know better tell me to save my breath as there’s nothing you can do about it.

      However, the pen and brush remain mightier than the sword. Perhaps this is why the creative arts are not actively promoted in our schools and college. To have a society of creative thinkers and doers would not bode well.

      Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 2
  10. Skerro
    January 27, 2023

    If they stay with one man they will be ok but if they want to be all about they shouldn’t commit there self

  11. JustSaying
    January 27, 2023

    CORRECTION: Simeon Joseph laments lack of outrage by women groups in Dominica over domestic violence.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0

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