Kim Wilson Suggests Gender Affairs Office
Shadow Health Minister Kim Wilson has suggested establishing a Gender Affairs office which would help in the provision of support and services for victims of domestic violence.
Ms. Wilson said, “Domestic Violence is a health care problem of epidemic proportions. In addition to the immediate trauma caused by the abuse, domestic violence contributes to a number of chronic health conditions such as depression, alcohol and substance abuse.
“In addition, children who witness domestic violence are more likely to exhibit behavioral and physical health problems including depression, anxiety and violence towards their peers.
“These children are also more likely to engage in unhealthy, dangerous and illegal activities such as alcohol abuse and substance abuse. Other health problems exhibited by children who witness domestic abuse include depression, anxiety and an increased chance of attempted suicides.
“With these such health problems stemming from domestic violence, it saddens us that more resources can not be found to assist the Centre Against Abuse as the only safe house /shelter in Bermuda for victims of domestic violence.
“The Government and/or the Minister of Health should take steps to provide the Centre Against Abuse with sufficient resources to permit them to continue operating and offering a well needed service in our community.
“There already exists a population of homelessness in Bermuda . It should be noted that there does exists a strong correlation between domestic violence and homelessness in other jurisdictions. Often times the only refuge for an abuse victim is a shelter once the decision is made to flee the home environment and the abuser.
“We cannot have, in such a sophisticated jurisdiction as Bermuda, a situation where the absence of a safe house forces the victim to remain in the abusive home environment or face homelessness.
“The PLP’s position is that a review of regional models with an aim of establishing a Gender Affairs office is needed. The Gender Affairs Office would have as part of its mandate, the provision of support and services for victims of domestic violence.
“It would be policy and legislative focused and provide funding and support to non profit organizations. This can be accomplished by establishing partnerships with charitable agencies such as the Centre for Abuse. The Gender Affairs office would also assist Bermuda in meeting its obligations under the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women [CEDAW].
“The closure of The Centre Against Abuse presents an opportunity for reform and a renewed commitment by our society to the principle that our most vulnerable must be protected,” added Ms. Wilson.
This is a good idea.
This is the kind of thing the opposition should be doing. Well-considered suggestions that might improve people’s lives.
It shouldn’t be laid in any particular Political Parties lap…This is something that we all can assist in by reporting / contributing whether it be funds or time.
(As I have mentioned further down “Groups” must be united putting political issues to the curb)
I do agree that there are gaps that need to be fixed, however, I think creating a new service would be the least effective way, especially given the dire financial situation the government is in. A revamp and retasking of the infrastructure that is in place would ultimately be more efficient and cost effective. Unfortunately we face one major hurdle, there is simply so many issues out there to deal with, but no where near the resources, financial or personnel, to be able to deal with it.
Very sick island How can this government allow a place that helps victims of abuse close down.
Many people are living in fear and feel they have no help.
Can you imagine being attacked by straingers who are looking for someone else but find you there instead. They beat you anyway putting you in hospital with a broken jaw and a judge gives them bail. This action by our judges has to stop. Some thugs are protected by the system which causes the victim to feel there is no help for them, makes them a further victim of fear and these are the good people that have not done anything wrong. Yeah close the abuse centre help the bad people out some more.
In the real world these thugs are not put back out into our small community until the matter has been delt with in court and they are sentenced or found innocent.
Too many good people hurting and too many bad people laughing
Meredith Stapff
And that is so true Meredith. I know as a fact that be the case in many places throughout the world. Of cause the other alternative is the Courts orders a “cash bond” be put up before releasing any individual…
Government didn’t allow it to close down. It closed down because it was not viable. The viability of the Centre depndifn on funding. As we are all aware that is something we currently government don’t have (don’t have to go into detail there). The only way to secure funding it through private donations.
Perhaps the Centre can raise funds through an event/s, through corporate sponsorship help the community, or can cut its overheads, by a shared service initiative with other charities to ensure as much of the money goes directly to those in need.
Perhap folks who have received help in the past can pay it forward by donation.
Okay i would like to know why are we so quick to run to Government for everything. Some of the writers have hit it on the head. This problem effects all of us. What is wrong with us giving help to these places in any form? i know of people who, give up their time(free) to help and i giving in terms of money. So let’s stop wanting the pretty things in life and start giving bak to our people!
This will be a major step forward for those that need it but again as I have said in the past, to think that this is only a ‘female’ problem, then you are looking at this serious issue with tunnel vision.
Men are also victims of domestic violence/abuse.
While the majority of domestic violence victims are women, abuse of men happens far more often than you would expect. Typically, men are physically stronger than women but that doesn’t necessarily make it easier to escape the violence or the abusive relationship. Abused men faces a shortage of resources. They also have to deal with the skepticism from police, family and friends and face major legal obstacles, especially when it comes to gaining custody of his children from an abusive mother.
Google Domestic violence against men and it will be an eye opener to the seriousness of this ‘worldwide’ issue. In Northern Ireland police records for the 2012 period listed 2,525 male victims of domestic violence, a large increase of 259 cases compared to the year before. So for thosse who believe that this is not a big deal, an old quote states: “Don’t judge a man until you have walked a mile in his shoes”
Additionally, because the man is stronger he can’t defend himself. Even in self-defense if the woman gets so much as broken nail it would be the man going to jail because who believes that the man was defending himself. His only options are to defend himself and risk jail or take the abuse and call the police after (only to have nothing happen).
There is also mental cruelty, an often overlooked from of abuse.
I agree with Shadow Health Minister Kim Wilson. There are far too many abused. Whether it be wife’s or children and in some cases, both (and yes even husbands)This must be dealt with appropriately a.s.a.p I want to believe there are numerous “Groups” that can unite and put their Political issues to the curb for the betterment of all.
Following is a thought for today and tomorrow:
“Plenty of kind, decent, caring people have no religious beliefs, and they act out of the goodness of their hearts. Conversely, plenty of people who profess to be religious, even those who worship regularly, show no particular interest in the world beyond themselves”. -John Danforth, Priest, Ambassador and Senator (b. 1936)
More energy and time needs to be put into preventing abuse.
Churches, schools, parents to be educated and understand through victims talking to them about their suffering what to look out for, warning signs and how to treat people in relationships.
How to argue, disagree guidance, i.e. conflict resolution training.
Voluntary accountibility groups, where married couples visit and discuss issues in the open, rather than bottling them up.
Recognition that there is no shame in stepping forward for help if you are a victim of abuse. That in fact you are a hero to all those who are too scared for doing so as you just saved a life. By being part of a program to educate in our schools and groups, you could save others.
A govt system to deal with the aftermath exists in social workers, councellors, charities and courts. Even if the Centre for abuse reopened. It will never be enough for what we need and we still havent addressed prevention.
We need to introduce a system of prevention, a moral compass. To reduce the number of victims.
Perhaps the government, charities, councellors, education and support groups could form a committee to establish a voluntary network and an effective program of prevention.
no Kimmie….we have enough existing social services administrators that can handle this ‘new’ wave of relationship squabbling
Correct, & if the existing services are not doing the job, why not?
It is all well & good to propose new services when you are not the one who has to find the funding. In case a few have not noticed, Bermuda is broke. In fact Bermuda is worse than broke.
Bermuda needs to do more with less. Now where have I heard that before? It is all very well to run off at the mouth & say stuff that sounds good but stuff costs money.
I agree,plus we have no money!
this provides an opportunity for the OBA to support the PLP
I agree with those who say this is a gd suggestion and well delivered by the opposition, but then again Ms. Wilson has always demonstrated a sense of professionalism, must drive her mad to sit in caucus lol.
how about making a minimum wage!!!!!!!!!!!!
duhhhhhhhh
This initiative has merit.
If Kim Wilson is not the leader of the opposition before the next election then the PLP really are thick.
We should start by raising daughters who have a sense of self worth and don’t go puttin’ out to just any man. If you raise women who are smart and confident they won’t fall for those ignorant abusive misogynists in the first place. Or, if they do, they’ll have the sense to run like hell at the first sign of abuse. And btw, BRING BACK OUR GIRLS!
We also need CURE back, we need to know that one section of the community is not being defranchised in the job market. Unemployment contribute to this too.
Yawn.It made no difference.
Kim Wilson plz take over the helm! Bean is the puppet!
Lawyers leading a country….good at debating, great politicians and media managers, great at arguing a point (even when there is no point). Managing a country …. I don’t know.
Last one didn’t do so well.
Although, Kim Wilson I like, she seems centred.
Better still. Cross the floor. Can’t imagine how she keeps her sanity in caucus.
Here! Here!
I agree, join the O.B.A. and “upset the apple cart” Shadow Health Minister Kim Wilson
In your dreams.
Or you could spend this “gravy train” money directly on the Centre for abuse.
Paul Cox may have had the family working for her but you Ms. Wilson should have been the premier. Keep up the good work.
LOL see you at the next karate competition.
Great idea and I would love to support a cross party implementation however I can. Kim Wilson is an articulate, sensible and intelligent person needed by the country. Please engage with the government of the day to make a difference which is non partisan. Others will hopefully follow. Well done.
Ms. Wilson, could you please provide an idea to the present Government how this new Office can be funded and staffed. Or did you miss the Budget Debate where the Finance Minister outlined how your parties administration BROKE the economy, and the Public Purse is EMPTY.
IT IS GREAT THING TO COME UP WITH MORE WAYS TO SPEND THE GOVERNMENT’S PURSE, IT’S AN ENTIRELY DIFFERENT EXERCISE TO COME UP WITH IDEAS TO PAY FOR THEM!
A very good idea by the Shadow Health Minister; but not one likely to happen any time soon, even if the OBA did embrace the idea – it’s al about money or thrather the lack of it. So perhaps Ms. Wilson could start a little closer to home and set the bar high by establishing a Gender Affairs Committee within her own Caucus and also in all the Party Branches, not to mention Alaska Hall too. I do strongly suggest that any Caucus Committee reviews historic situations such as the group of male PLP MPs who ousted Dame Jennifer Smith from office.
@Gotham ….. whatever!!!! Jennifer preferred champagne to humans. What a shame because sh was a very good politician despite her deficits.
If the PLP had not crippled the island financially,the govt could help. No ticki no washe,you cannot get blood out of a stone.
Vote PLP and vote for poverty.
leadership