TALK BACK: Let’s take domestic violence seriously

The safety of women using shelters must be of paramount importance.
That’s the view of some of our online readers in response to the story of three women who said they were told they were in breach of the confidentiality agreement of a battered women’s shelter and were put out after publicly speaking out.
In an earlier interview they said shelters were not doing enough to help women make it on their own. The women said, however, that they never disclosed the location of the shelter.
The Business and Professional Women’s Club maintained that the security of the shelter had been breached.
Mel B: They brought the media to a safe house where not only yourselves but other women in similar circumstances fearing for their lives, are in hiding. How could they be so selfish as to bring the media and put everyone in danger? How could they expect a different outcome? One should always consider the consequences of their actions. How unwise. I hope, however, that they find somewhere to live that is secure and that no harm comes to them or the other girls.
Nikki Brown: This is disgusting. If any of these women end up being killed by their abuser the shelter should be held responsible. This is Barbados, a country where we want everyone to keep their mouths shut and not fight for their rights.
Janice Bushell: Shame on you Barbados.
Tracy Barker: My understanding is that they may have put others who use this facility at risk. I personally don’t know where it is but Bim is a small country and I’m sure people know which shelter this is and therefore we have to think about the other occupants.
Readers are also still calling on police to take calls about domestic violence more seriously and commenting on the Attorney General’s pledge to fast-track the new Domestic Violence Bill following the attack and death of fish vendor Caroline Forde last week.
Roy Goncalves: The officers who neglected their duty to “protect, serve and reassure”, should be brought before court to explain and be culpable for their lack of action”.
Lara Pseu: The problem in this instance isn’t the lack of a specific law, it’s the failure of the law enforcement authority to take the complaints made by the woman and her family seriously.
Lance Skeete: Wake up Barbados, how many more have to die before something is really done?
Sheri Veronica: Let’s hope the Domestic Violence Act really works to protect women.
Donville Holder: A law won’t protect anyone from committing whatever crime as we see all over the world, but what it would do is give justice to those who the crime is committed against. I wish we could just pass a law and the nonsense goes away but it’s just pipe dreaming.
• Carol Martindale is THE NATION’s Online Editor.