Gender Affairs Coordinator, Ms. Tara Sue Morgan has explained that the theme, ’Know your Worth” for Domestic Violence Awareness Month is a call for persons to advocate for the love that they deserve.

The Office of Gender Affairs is leading this year’s advocacy activity with continued support and participation from community groups and social advocacy organisations such as ZONTA and the Family Support Network.

Ms. Morgan said, “Your worth can never be determined by others. People not giving you the love that you deserve is always their loss. And so this theme sends a message that you don't need to prove yourself to anyone in order to deserve love.”

The Gender Affairs Coordinator said as everyone learns to live in this COVID-19 era, it is a fact that more persons are at home together and that can lead to more instances of unreported altercations and abuse.

            Ms. Morgan stated, “Because of this year’s theme, ‘Know your worth’ we want to also ensure that persons get the help they need during these uncertain times.”

            Domestic Violence Awareness Month is observed in the month of October and residents are encouraged to contact the Royal Virgin Islands Police by dialing 311 should they or anyone else be in immediate danger due to a domestic altercation.

Additional emergency contacts for persons in need are the Family and Juvenile Unit of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force at 346-7963; the Social Development Department at 468-9371; the Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital at 464-3497; the Family Support Network at 494-7622; or the Office of Gender Affairs at 468-3415.

            Domestic Violence Awareness Month is an international observance geared at creating community awareness of the social and personal impacts of domestic and family violence. The Ministry of Health and Social Development aspires to provide a caring and integrated system of health and social services that facilitate human development and quality of life in the British Virgin Islands.