WITH AN AVERAGE of more than one case of domestic violence being reported daily, a local church has started an initiative to “detox” men from using violence against women.
The statistics and campaign were revealed yesterday when the Berean Bible Church launched its Movement Opposing Violent Endings (MOVE).
Sergeant Roland Cobbler, one of the awardees during the day, said in the past 12 months since the Royal Barbados Police Force had established its Family Conflict Intervention Unit on June 1, 2013, police had responded to 400 cases of domestic violence, or an average of just over one case a day.
One hundred and ninety nine people were charged; 135 women got protection orders and, of those, 66 were receiving continuous follow-ups.
Cobbler, who stressed that acts of domestic violence were treated as high priority cases by the force, added that there were support services for men to assist them in resolving personal conflicts.
“The nature of domestic violence over time has become more violent and, in some cases, has resulted in the loss of life,” he said.
He said domestic violence, as a social problem, would require a collaborative response, and the police, specialist non-governmental organisations and statutory services must work together to provide the necessary network of information, referrals and counselling.
“In other words, domestic violence can no longer be regarded as a private matter to be left alone to the parties involved. We have to assist them in recognising the significant impact that this type of behaviour is likely to have on individuals, families and communities,” he said.
The MOVE was launched yesterday with whistle tour stops at various popular sites around the island.
Member of the church and coordinator of the event, Tyrone Lowe, who was at Carlton Supermarket in Black Rock, explained the event was designed to raise awareness about increasing violence against women and to appeal to men to show inner, spiritual strength.
“What we are advocating is a movement that is trying to reach the man to deter him from that intention [of violence towards a woman]. We want to tell men there is a better way,” Lowe said.
The coordinator pointed to a number of killings in recent times in which the deceased woman had expressed a fear of the man and, in some cases had sought help.
“So even if the woman goes into a shelter the man is still on the loose and someone has to try to detox him. And that’s the whole idea – let’s target the men,” he said.
Calypsonian Michael Mikey Mercer, another awardee during the day, said he was humbled by the award for a cause about which he was passionate.
Adding that he had lost some friends to violence, Mikey said his song this year Turn Up The Love was about ending domestic violence.
“I see myself as a tool to get this message out there not only to Barbados but to the rest of the world,” said the United Nations UNIFEM ambassador.
“We are men on the move and I intend to do my part to change the stigma that the only outlet is violence,” he said.
The other men who were awarded yesterday were businessman Andrew Bynoe, head of MESA Ralph Boyce and principal of the Boys’ Government Industrial School, Irwin Leacock.
