His Excellency the Governor John J. Rankin CMG, Junior Minister for Tourism Honourable Alvera Maduro-Caines, members of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force and the Zonta Club of Tortola, along with many others, congregated with the Office of Gender Affairs at the New Testament Church of God on Sunday, October 2 to kick start Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

The month is being recognised under the theme ‘Every 1 Knows 1 so HELP 1’.  Gender Affairs Coordinator, Ms. Tara-Sue Morgan said that everyone at one point or another is affected by domestic violence.  According to Ms. Morgan, “Domestic violence is more than people in conflict who are related by blood, it is more than persons who are in or were in an intimate relationship, it is also persons who cohabit in a household.”

Ms. Morgan further stated that domestic violence is not only physical abuse that is visible to the eyes, it is also emotional, psychological, sexual and financial abuse which is often ignored, even though they have a deep scar that often takes longer to heal than the physical scars. She therefore encourages the community to help each other.  “We have to change the mindset and attitude of persons to ensure that we wipe out the scourge of domestic violence. The one you save can be the person you see in the mirror,” Ms. Morgan said.

The community is encouraged to participate in the activities below to help raise awareness:

Domestic Violence Awareness Month, which was first launched in October 1987 has been a way for individuals and organisations to connect and unite to work on domestic violence issues while raising awareness.  It is also a time to mourn those who have been lost to abuse, celebrate survivors and network for change.

The Ministry of Health and Social Development is committed to ensuring that all aspects of the environment with the potential to negatively impact the health of the population are managed efficiently to enable all persons in the BVI to attain and maintain optimal health and well-being.