Families are ripped apart, children develop in homes that are prone to violence while spending lifetimes filled with fear and uncertainty. According to experts these are all symptoms of domestic violence οΎ– a widespread social problem throughout The Bahamas that has led to several deaths in recent months.
The latest statistics released by the Royal Bahamas Police Force indicate that 10 of the country's 52 murders last year were related to domestic violence.
Among the many incidents of domestic violence the country will never forget was the brutal stabbing death of Tiffany Smith-Laroda, 30, a mother of four, allegedly after a domestic dispute the day before.
Another incident involved 27-year-old Ann Thompson, a mother of four, who was discovered by her 12-year-old daughter in the bathroom of her Hanna Hill, Grand Bahama home with a yellow nylon rope around her neck. Initially, before the results of the autopsy report were made public, Ms Thompson's death was thought to have been an "apparent suicide," but police later charged her estranged husband with her death.
And then there was last year's shocking death of softball star, Jackie Moxey. The former right fielder, who played the game for more than three decades, died after an alleged domestic dispute.
But, the recent death of Ericka Fowler, the mother of five who was allegedly stabbed to death by the father of her children less than two weeks ago, has once again thrust the issue of domestic violence into the spotlight.
Now law enforcement officials are speaking out about the disturbing trend.
[BahamasB2B Editor's Note: Actually, law enforcement officials are just flapping their jaws, like usual. If they were serious about domestic violence they would prosecute the police officers who have been charged with abuse. Instead, the cases languish in the dysfunctional and corrupt Bahamas court system, where crooked cops can buy delays, make files disappear and not show up to testify.]
"The Force is very concerned about domestic violence in our community," Inspector Walter Evans of the RBPF admitted yesterday. "In a number of the homicides we see that domestic violence plays a significant role in quite a number of cases we have investigated. It is because of that we are asking people to seek counselling."
Social Services Minister, Melanie Griffin has also said that the government is addressing the domestic violence issue but admitted more has to be done to stop abuse against women. Late last year she pointed out that coupled with STD's, domestic violence is one of the top concerns for women in today's society.
"As regards to domestic violence, which is a global concern right now and serious health risks, those are the issues I think really face women today in our country," she said in recent months.
But leading psychiatrist Dr. David Allen has indicated that a different approach must be taken. Dr. Allen maintained that as society narrows the spotlight on adult victims of domestic violence, the forgotten children who are left behind in the background are forced to suffer in silence.
"When a woman is abused 77 percent of the time children in those homes are abused," said Dr. Allen. "Domestic violence starts in childhood. That is why we have to save the children."
He added that some children who have survived abuse could become volatile adults, who are not capable of resolving conflicts without violence.
On the other hand, he claimed that other child survivors might have learned to adapt to pain, leaving them with the great probability of being involved in abusive relationships as adults.
"Human beings adapt to pain as they adapt to pleasure," said Dr. Allen last November.
"Domestic violence is similar to brainwashing. Before the physical starts, the verbal starts. You are ugly. You are no good, " Dr. Allen continued. "Sometimes you have women who have been demoralised or brain washed from little girls. They were called ugly, dark, black and picky hair. What is a joke to you can put a noose around a little girl's neck."
Meanwhile, Domestic Violence continues to be a problem that is prevalent worldwide with many of the incidents involving violence against current or former spouses, boyfriends, girlfriends and even family members.
By JASMIN BONIMY, Guardian Staff Reporter
