There’s been a sizable increase in the number of domestic violence cases reported to the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force. But although awareness of the problem is up, there is still a lot more work to be done, Lorolie Connor, the coordinator of the Office of Gender Affairs said Saturday.
Ms. Connor at the time was speaking to participants at a domestic violence awareness workshop held at the Agape Total Life Centre on Friday and Saturday. The conference was organised with the theme “Love does not hurt.”
“The numbers [of domestic violence cases reported] have gone up rapidly because of sensitization that is going on,” Ms. Connor said, adding that she believes victims are still reluctant to speak out against abuse.
“Culturally, our problem is we have accepted abuse for so long that it is hard for people to come out and say they are being abused,” Ms. Connor told attendees. “We are still not culturally willing to open our minds.”
For more information see the Oct. 18 edition of the Beacon.
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