Notes from meeting held 21st November 2009

There was a very poor turnout to the meeting on Saturday. As this is Crisis Centre Month, it would have been great to see more volunteers so that they could be kept up to date with our activities for the month. Dr. Patterson reminded volunteers of the high per capita rate of rape, assault and murder in the Bahamas and the need for our work to continue and expand.

The Workshop on Teen Relationship Violence which took place last week at the East Street Gospel Chapel was a huge success with about 70 senior high school students attending and dynamic presentations being made. A skit, written by Thea Rutherford and Samitria Miller, and acted by Joy Burrows from C.R Walker and Lorenzo Charles from CC Sweeting was well received.

As this Wednesday, 25th November, is International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, a workshop will be held at Transfiguration Church Hall at Market and Vesey Street from 9-12.30. Speakers will address issues of sexual violence, including spousal rape and it is hoped that there will be a good turnout of participants from all sectors of the community.  All aspects of sexual violence will be addressed.

The newspaper supplement is published with the Tribune, today, so we hope everyone will buy a copy to read the contributions made by volunteers and messages from Ministers Dion Foulkes and Loretta Butler-Turner and a Proclamation from the Prime Minister, Mr. Hubert Ingraham. It promises to be an interesting document.

The children’s Christmas party was discussed but we are unable to give a date as yet as the people who so kindly visit the Bahamas bringing gifts for the children are not as yet able to say exactly when they will be visiting.

More FM  would like to organize a teddy bear drive for children seen at the Centre and any donations can be taken to Peggy’s Hat Shop on Blue Hill Road.

It was suggested that, in place of the usual monthly meeting in January, we hold a half day retreat for volunteers. Possible locations were discussed and the matter will be considered further and volunteers informed of the location in due course.

The need for another Family Island Workshop was expressed as the social workers, police and teachers on many of the islands can feel very isolated when challenged with issues of child abuse, rape and domestic violence. It is hoped to hold the Workshop early in the New Year.

Volunteers will be kept informed on plans for the children’s Christmas party and it is hoped we can get full participation in the event.

Stay safe and watch this space for more information!

Notices

Just some reminders!

19th November: Workshop on Teen Relationship Violence

21st November: Monthly meeting

24th November: Newspaper supplement with the Tribune

25th November: Workshop on Sexual Violence

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.