November is Crisis Centre Month

Well, we are now into November which is being recognized as Crisis Centre Month. We are focusing on Teen Relationship Violence with the theme ” Love Shouldn’t Hurt”

Activities will include a Workshop on the 19th November at the East Street Gospel Chapel (please note change in venue) East Street from 9-12.30, a newspaper supplement filled with articles, poems and messages to educate and support teens as we  address this sensitive issue, a play to be recorded and shown in schools and at other locations, demonstrating typical teenage scenarios and visits to schools to talk about Teen Relationship Violence.

Stephanie Smollett has created some beautiful posters for the month and volunteers and supporters have submitted work for inclusion in the supplement.

We do hope that the end result will be an increased awareness of the challenges which meet  our young people  today and ways and means in which we can help them meet these challenges.

Event on Saturday 31st October, Caves Village

Burns House Group are sponsoring a “Treat! No Trick” event at  Caves Village on Saturday 31st October from 12 noon -6pm. Proceeds are to go to The Crisis Centre. Drinks, hotdogs, face painting and makeovers will be available. Sounds like fun!

Notes from meeting held 24th October 2009

Well, the volunteers at the meeting exuded energy, ideas and commitment! We look forward to good support in all our projects as we cannot carry out our plans without our volunteers.

Novelette gave an update on the plans for Crisis Centre Month to be held in November, the topic being Teen Relationship Violence and the theme, “Love Shouldn’t Hurt”

• A workshop for High School Students and professionals from several agencies and organizations is to be held on the 19th November at the Church of God of Prophecy on East Street from 9am-12midday. An agenda is to be developed which will stimulate discussion from both students and adults at the workshop so that the issues pertaining to Teen Relationships can be addressed.
• A play to be performed in the schools, either live or by video has been written by Thea and Samitria and will be reviewed by a small team of volunteers to meet on Tuesday at 6pm.  Margot Bethel from the Hub is anxious to give support to the Crisis Centre and is offering the Hub as a possible location for the play to be shown and possibly, a social event following the play. The play will require about 10-12 actors, men and women!
• Talks will be given in schools on the subject of Teen Relationship Violence and Erica Morris is already involved in doing similar talks in high schools on her own behalf.  She presented a small card which could be distributed to students to sensitize them to the fact that violence is not limited to physical abuse but includes other elements of disrespect and degradation. She also showed the volunteers a bookmark for students depicting silent victims. Erica also asked volunteers to donate old shoes so that an exhibit depicting stories of victims of abuse could be used when visiting schools.
• The newspaper supplement with the Tribune has not really got underway, but several volunteers offered material for it so it is hoped that we can develop a dynamic publication. Stephanie has produced two beautiful posters and will submit an idea for the cover. She also offered to do the layout and we will be contacting the Tribune to see if that is a possibility. The supplement will be published in late November, hopefully on a Monday or a Thursday.

Novelette also reported on the Ms. Full Figured Bahamas Exhibition which was such a success with brochures and T-shirts being distributed and sold in the Mall. The card T-shirts used at the vigil were pinned to the display boards and had a dramatic effect on adults and children viewing the exhibition.

The group is working hard to prepare one of our rooms  for a Teen Room and an idea from Lynn Sweeting to ask for computers to be donated so that young people could learn to blog and express their feelings, was shared with volunteers.  It was pointed out that there would have to be supervision for the teenagers using the room. To assist in completing the room, Ms. Mcdonald from the Ms Full Figured Bahamas told volunteers that more sponsors were needed.

Jan Thurston reported that Burns House is sponsoring a Fund Raiser for the Crisis Centre on Saturday, 31st October at the Caves. There will be makeovers, kid’s face painting as well as other activities and food! The event is going to be from 12 noon until 6pm. Jadetra Ingraham will explore the possibility of a photographer taking photos of the makeovers. As the event is planned for just before the start of Crisis Centre Month, it was suggested that the month of activities could be launched on the 31st.

Dr. Patterson wanted to get feedback on the Press Conference held in the cemetery to recognize The National Day to End Sexual Violence and it was felt that the response was generally good with the odd person against the idea. The media coverage on this occasion was excellent. However, it was recognized that there are still so many misconceptions on what Rape is, that we need to have a workshop and ongoing presentations to educate and inform. With this in mind, Dr. Patterson suggested we hold a workshop before the end of the year. Govermental and non-governmental agencies would be invited.

We were reminded of the Youtube video developed by Craig Gibson on domestic violence and it was suggested we show it at various locations. However, we need to remember that the correct equipment is needed for particular formats and that will be investigated .

Camille Smith spoke about the seminars on  Domestic Violence , Teen Dating Violence, Sexual Violence and Healing from the Trauma of Violence that she has been conducting at COB and suggested we liaise with the college and possibly make use of their Performing Arts area, which is now available.

Dr. Patterson suggested we hold a Ball next year with a theme to signify our support for children’s safety or something similar. We would need a major sponsor to underwrite the event. Sue recommended that we hold a Silent Auction along with the Ball as it is a good way to generate funds. A list of volunteers who are willing to help organize the Ball was made for office use and it was advised that work should immediately start on the planning of the event.

The annual party for the children seen at the Centre was discussed and Patricia Chatti suggested it could be held at the school at which she works, Kiddie Village on West Bay Street. As we normally ask a group of Canadians to donate toys, we would have to find out when they are available and plan the date of the party around their availability.

Patricia Chatti is holding a Shoe Fetish and would like to do something similar for the Crisis Centre with a brunch and shoe “competition” being held to raise funds. She is proposing to hold the event at the Hilton Hotel on Bay Street.

And that is the end of this blog, I hope! It is probably the longest one so far and demonstrates how many ideas were shared and explored at the meeting. If there are corrections to be made, please let me know…at least I would then know you read it!!

Meeting Saturday 24th October

Please don’t forget the meeting on Saturday at 10am! All we ask you to bring are your ideas, energy and commitment!

Notice about monthly meeting for October

Although we usually meet on the third Saturday of each month, we will be postponing it until the 24th this month as Dr. Patterson is not available. So, see you all on the 24th October at 10am

We will be getting updates on Crisis Centre Month activities planned for November. Our theme will be “Love Shouldn’t Hurt” and will focus on Teen Relationship Abuse.

Ms Full-Figured Bahamas Every Child Counts, Exhibition, Toy and Teddy Bear Drive

“The Ms.Full Figured Bahamas Organization has chosen to partner with the Crisis Center this year in continuing to raise awareness of the issue of child abuse in our country, and to become a voice for the children that have lost their voices. The organization has also committed part proceeds of all income made at this year’s pageant to the Crisis Center. One of the projects that the organization has committed itself to, is renovating the TEEN Room at the Crisis Center, enabling it to be conducive for the children that go there to find safety and counsel. The Mall EXHIBITION will serve as an avenue to sensitize the public of this growing issue that our country is facing today. It is also an opportunity for persons to give of themselves by donating a Teddy Bear, art supplies, board games or anything that would be of use in a teenager’s room. Help us to raise our voices and say that we are outraged with what is happening to our children and that we are willing to unite to put an end to this madness. This is the time to put your money where your mouth is and let’s unite for the cause, let’s do it for the children. Remember “EVIL PREVAILS, WHEN GOOD PEOPLE DO NOTHING”. Join us”

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=137332317221&ref=nf

Child Abuse Exhibition Saturday 10th October

Ms. Full Figured Bahamas is sponsoring an exhibition and mini concert with it’s focus on “Child Abuse” on Saturday, October 10, 2009 at the Mall At Marathon and we are in need of volunteers to help set up the exhibition and sit at the table for a few hours. Please support this event and call Novelette at the Crisis Centre on 328.0922 if you are able to help set up the exhibition (probably Friday evening)  or give out brochures on “Child Abuse” on Saturday from 12 noon to 5pm.

Report on the press conference to recognize the National Day to End Sexual Violence

Our press conference held in the Eastern Cemetery was a great success with excellent media coverage and good support from volunteers and supporters.

Published On:Wednesday, September 30, 2009

By MEGAN REYNOLDS

Tribune Staff Reporter

mreynolds@tribunemedia.net

A NUMBER of changes to the criminal justice system were called for by the Crisis Centre yesterday as it commemorated the Day to End Sexual Violence.

Director of the non-profit counselling service centre Dr Sandra Dean-Patterson highlighted the need for systematic changes to help protect victims of sexual abuse in a country where the incidence of sexual crime far exceeds the worldwide average.

The United Nations recorded 133 rapes per 100,000 people in the Bahamas in 2007, compared to an average of 15 per 100,000 worldwide.

In the decade leading up to 1999 there were 3,000 individuals in the Bahamas who reported crimes of a sexual nature, Dr Patterson said. She compared this to the number of sex offenders convicted and serving prison time – a lowly 150.

And it seems sexual violence is still hugely prevalent as there have been 4,114 reported rapes so far this decade, including 80 rapes reported this year, as well as 26 attempted rapes, 174 incidents of unlawful sex with someone under 16, and 15 cases of incest.

Dr Patterson said: “I am sure if you went to the prison you would find there is around the same number of sex offenders.

“The reality is that persons who are sexually violent do not get convicted or go to prison, so as long as you can walk around and commit offences without consequences there is no reason to stop doing it. And it is the women and children who are predominantly victims in this.”

Speaking out with supporters on the Day to End Sexual Violence, the Crisis Centre called for:

* A Voluntary Bill of Indictment in sexual offence trials

* Establishment of a court specifically for sexual offences

* The use of plea bargaining in selected cases

* Implementation of a sexual offender police registry and supervision orders for released offenders

* Legislation to incorporate as offences sexual touching and grooming to allow for special protection for children

* Creation of sex offender treatment programmes in prison and in probation rehabilitation services.

The proposals won support from Kingdom Women in Business, the Bahamas Association for Social Health (BASH), The Bahamas Against Sexual Violence and Child Abuse, and PLP MP Alfred Sears. Mr Sears explained how it is important for people in the community to do what they can to eliminate sexual abuse by mentoring children who are at risk.

Dr Patterson said that anyone who wishes to volunteer in their community should call the Crisis Centre on 328-0922 or log on to the Crisis Centre website www.bahamascrisiscentre.org.

The Crisis Centre’s statement on the Amendment to the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Act (1991)

THE AMENDMENT TO THE SEXUAL OFFENSES AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ACT (1991) The Constitution of the Bahamas guarantees basic human rights and protection from harm to all citizens.

All persons in our nation have the right to a life free from violence whether that violence is physical, psychological, or sexual, whether that person is a child or adult, male or female, married or unmarried.

THE AMENDMENT TO THE SEXUAL OFFENSES AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ACT (1991) The current Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Legislation (1991) read as follows “Rape is the act of any person not under fourteen years of age having sexual intercourse with another person who is not his spouse”. The amendment proposes to delete the words “who is not his spouse” and will therefore read, “Rape is the act of any person not under fourteen years of age having sexual intercourse with another person”. The Crisis Centre supports this amendment which seeks to do two things: 1. remove the spousal rape exception from the Act; and 2. remove the time restriction of six months for summary offences.

1. THE SPOUSAL RAPE EXCEPTION Spousal rape was specifically made an exception to the definition of rape in the 1991 Domestic Violence and Sexual Offences Act (“the Act”). As a result, rape within marriage is currently not a criminal offence. It is the view of The Crisis Centre that it is important to remove this spousal rape exception from the Act.

While the majority of victims of rape are female, this amendment extends protection to men and women. It is important to recognize the equality of women, and wives, within the law. The spousal rape exception developed historically out of the view that a wife was the property or chattel of her husband, and therefore had no legal rights to her own body. This exception was developed in the 18th and 19th century English common law which we inherited. At that time in history, women had few to no legal rights – they could not vote, give evidence in court, be sued, attend university, gain custody of their children, and had limited property and inheritance rights and few employment opportunities.

The position of women within our society has changed drastically – wives should be recognized as equal citizens within the law. By keeping the spousal rape exception, we are perpetuating social stereotypes of inequality between men and women. These social stereotypes contribute to sexual violence between men and women. The Caribbean, and The Bahamas specifically, suffers from extremely high rates of sexual violence. According to the Joint UN/World Bank 2007 Report ‘Crime, violence and development: trends, costs and policy options in the Caribbean’ (“the Joint Report”), The Bahamas has the highest per capita rates of rape in the world. The report cites reported rape statistics at 133 per 100,000 per year. Police statistics cite rape rates at 69 from January to June 14th 2009. An analysis of reported cases of sexual violence from 1990-1999, reveals that 3,093 men, women, and children were sexually assaulted during those years. Prison statistics in 2000 revealed that there were less than 150 sex offenders in the prison. Of significance also is the fact that rape is one of the most under reported crimes around the world. The US Bureau of Justice Statistics in 2004 cites that under half (38.5%) of rapes and sexual assaults are reported to the police.

At The Crisis Centre we find that women generally do not want to report rapes, especially when the perpetrator is known to them nor do they want to go through the criminal justice system because of the traumatizing, lengthy, and arduous legal processes they are subject to and the stigma that they often internalize. Victims have to be examined at the hospital, be interviewed by police, made to undergo a confrontation, be interviewed by a lawyers, and will often be subjected to rigorous cross-examination in two trials. Statistics do not support the highly publicized myth that most cases are false allegations.

We understand that concern has been voiced that if the law is changed, there may be false accusations of spousal rape. Perjury and deceit of a public officer are existing offences which would punish false testimonies, but to further address these concerns the Crisis Centre would support an amendment to the Bill to include both approval of the Attorney General before prosecution can proceed, and stricter penalties for false accusations of spousal rape. Rape is a crime of violence. Spousal rape is also a crime of violence. Victims who are raped by someone they share their life, home, and family with can experience profound psychological injuries and undergo betrayal trauma. They have to cope with the lost of trust in their partners, they have to cope with fear and shame. Bahamas is facing a crisis of sexual violence. It is important that we clearly condemn and outlaw sexual violence in any form, whether the victim is adult or child, married or unmarried, male or female. All individuals in our nation must have the right to protection from harm.

2. TIME RESTRICTION OF SIX MONTHS FOR SUMMARY OFFENCES The second aspect of the Bill is to extend the time restriction of reporting summary offences from six months to two years. This part of the Bill has nothing to do with removing the spousal rape exception. Rape is an indictable offence within the Act, not a summary offence. The passage of the second part of the Bill would encourage and enable those victims of sexual assault who are over fourteen to report the violation. Research has shown that young victims often take a while to report their victimization. When they do, and it is beyond six months, our police are unable to prosecute.

Dr. Sandra Dean-Patterson Director of the Crisis Centre

National Day To End Sexual Violence-29th September

Since organizing the conference on Sexual Violence in the Caribbean (co-ordinated and brilliantly executed by Donna Nicolls) two years ago, the 29th September was chosen to recognize a day to address the issue of sexual violence. Last year we held an exhibition in the Mall at Marathon along with an opening ceremony. This year, volunteers felt that a press conference in a cemetery to depict the serious nature and sometimes, deadly consequences of sexual violence, would make the greatest impact at this time.

The press conference will be held at 11am on Tuesday, 29th September in the Eastern Cemetery on Shirley Street. All volunteers are asked to attend as we gather with other concerned members of the community to express our abhorrence of  all forms of  sexual violence on children or adults,  perpetrated by those either unknown or known to the victim, married or unmarried to the victim.

If there are any changes to time or place,  it will be announced here.

See you there!