3 weeks ago
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During the Opposition’s press conference held yesterday, Senator Sheena Pitts chided several in authority and reminded them of their duty and obligation to effectively tackle gender-based violence.
Sheena Pitts, UDP Senator: “We’ve heard from Minister Kevin Bernard. Have we heard from the police minister? Have we heard from the judiciary? Have you asked yourselves what role do you play in gender-based violence? Because you see, all of us cannot disagree that it is a plague to our society. All of us cannot disagree that it is a problem we must tackle. But from all the talkings we’ve heard from the special envoy, from the minister Kevin Bernard, have you heard any of them say what they can do or what can be done to address the problem? We’ve heard the multi-sectoral approach in relation to crime. When will we see true multi-sectoral approach to gender-based violence and not the response to it? Because the response to it is an indication that we’ve been doing nothing to address what causes it.”
Pitts added her voice to the fact that it’s mandatory for trained officers who deal with domestic violence cases to ALWAYS respond whenever a call comes in regardless of the time, place or a person’s station in life. Yet, some officers shirk their duties which put women at risk.
Sheena Pitts, UDP Senator: “So when they pull up to the house, it’s them again you know. She won’t make any report. In fact, I am not even going again because they are the same ones from last week. Last night it was them. We heard already about a particular member in government right. It is no laughing matter. How can the police be so insensitive to domestic violence that they turn around and victim blame. They turn around and respond less. They turn around and look at victims and say, “Man, you just need to sleep it off.” Man, next week, you will both be wrapped up again together and put head to pillow, you all are just tiring me. I am not going to waste any paper, next week you two will get back together.” And what they fail to understand, what the law has recognized, battered woman syndrome is real. Ladies and gentlemen, I used to be one of those persons who use to say, “But why does she go back to take the same “b**ch lick again before?” This is real, and we have to have a frank conversation. Ladies and gentlemen, close to me, there is a woman who I would give my life to. And I grew up seeing her experience violence, visited upon her very small frame. And for the life of me, through all my love, I held a resentment because I said she knows better. She has my family, she has my mom who’s a strong woman that would beat any man in this room today. And I couldn’t understand for the life of me. And it took a sober conversation. It took a heart to heart, it took my education. It took reading cases like Alowalio and Thornton and understanding what battered woman syndrome is for me to understand that I enjoy no right to ask why.”
Since the San Felipe Fire on Monday which claimed the lives of three members of one family several organizations and groups have added to the chorus of support for the victims and the urgent need for interventions. The National Students Union of Belize has called on the government to conduct a full review of all domestic violence cases where protection was sought but not granted, and where bail was given despite a history of abuse. The system must be audited to identify where it failed Angelita and her children, particularly in the process of obtaining restraining orders and ensuring proper police response.
The Ministry of Human Development, Family Support and Gender Affairs, Office of the Special Envoy for the Development of Families and Children, and the National Women’s Commission Have joined forces to not only express condolences to the family but to remind the public that ending violence against women and children is not the responsibility of the government alone; it requires a collective national response. The agencies call on community leaders, village councils, educators, youth organizations, civil society, and faith-based groups to join us in building a culture of zero tolerance for violence. Change begins with awareness, accountability, and the courage to speak out and intervene.
Domestic violence is a crime against the state and as a signatory to the Inter-American Convention on the Prevention, Punishment and Eradication of Violence Against Women on November 25, 1996, Belize is yet to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to violence against women.
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