Column: Tucker On Domestic Abuse, Laws, More

[Opinion column written by Opposition Senate Leader Robin Tucker]

Public holidays often result in increased reports of domestic abuse incidents, sometimes these are precipitated by alcohol or other substance use. It might be the merriment, or a stressor associated with a holiday, but a victim of domestic abuse knows that an abuser can be triggered at any time and for any reason.

In just a few short weeks, the Christmas season will begin.

We have seen reports from the Women’s Resource Center which stated that during the first six months of 2024, 33 domestic violence inquiries were recorded and that the Bermuda Police Service [BPS] also recorded 25 incidents of domestic abuse between 3rd and 19th August this year.

Sadly, domestic abuse continues to rise. While legislative changes are long overdue, updates such as a comprehensive definition of domestic abuse, and stronger penalties that act as real deterrents are needed and that provide the judiciary teeth to mete out punishments that makes clear to abusers and to their victims that domestic abuse is taken seriously in Bermuda.

But legislation alone cannot fix the issue.

Laws must work in tandem with support provided to helping services. Substantial financial support for the service providers is also needed. The kind of funding that demonstrates actual commitment to addressing the issue so that service providers can support victims in a significant way. While it is true that available funds are limited in Bermuda, it is insufficient to say that we don’t have the money to address domestic abuse in a real way.

Money can be ‘found’ to pay a slew of consultants, a variety of taxpayer-supported trips for government officials, to provide additional pay for MPs serving on government Boards and in other capacities, and for other reasons.

Why can’t significant financing can’t be provided to help domestic abuse victims regain control of their lives as domestic abuse is a crisis as families are the bedrock of any society?

Many victims who leave abusive relationships will need both short-term and long-term support with matters like safe and adequate housing, childcare support, individual and family counselling, and much, much more. To help break the cycle of abuse, helping services must also be made available to abusers. Education and prevention initiatives should also be provided starting from the young, that is if we are serious about solving domestic abuse on this island.

A couple of sobering statistics taken from the Center Against Abuse’s website:

• Prior to gang violence domestic abuse killings were the #1 cause of murders in Bermuda [NB: The 1st identified gang-related murder was in 2001]
• Over the past 40 years approximately 35 people have been killed in domestic abuse-related incidents in Bermuda

A more recent fact shared in the RG was obtained from a 2022 survey that estimated that more than 3,000 women in Bermuda have experienced abuse at the hands of an intimate partner.

That is a startling number of women impacted and worrisome as many of the women likely suffer silently. Unfortunately, there is no accurate data revealing the number of male victims of domestic abuse.

As a country, we must do better to protect the populace from the impacts of domestic abuse. There are many reasons why victims stay with their abuser, but in such in small community our laws and resources need to be such that there is assurance of safety and support services needed to enable them to leave their abuser when they wish to do so. There are many reasons why people stay in abusive relationships. I celebrate those who have left their abuser and for those who remain in unhealthy relationships I pray that one day you will also leave and find the peace and happiness you so rightly deserve.

- Robin Tucker

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