About 65 people took part in a Silent Witness March from the Glass House to the Legislative Assembly, Tuesday 25 October, to honour victims of domestic violence.
The Business and Professional Women’s Club Grand Cayman organises this event every year, which began in the US in 1991 and later expanded to international participation.
When the marchers reached the steps of the LA they were joined by other participants in a ceremony to commemorate the event.
Anthony Eden, Minister for Health and Human Services, spoke about the importance of the march.
‘I am both pleased and saddened to be here today to participate in this Silent Witness March. I am pleased to be able to support this community effort to raise awareness on the issue of domestic violence.
‘I am saddened, however, by the very need for this march,’ Mr. Eden said.
The minister pointed out that both victims and perpetrators of abuse can come from all walks of society.
‘Whether we know it or not, we have all known someone who has been a victim of domestic abuse,’ he said.
Mr. Eden also described the effect this abuse has on children.
‘We must not forget the children who suffer tremendously from this crime. Research shows that children who either witness or are subjected to violence in the home are five times more likely to become abusers or victims themselves.
‘This means that they will not only be abusive or victimised when they become adults, but these children may now exhibit aggressive behaviour or bullying while in school with your children,’ he said.
Seema Kapoor, chairperson of the BPWC’s 16 Days/Silent Witness Committee, outlined the club’s connection with the march.
‘The Silent Witness March, which is an international campaign, is a key initiative of the Business and Professional Women’s Club Grand Cayman, in our fight against gender violence.
‘The goal of this initiative is to bring domestic violence murders down to zero by the year 2010,’ she said.
Mrs. Kapoor hopes the publicity will encourage victims to get help.
‘(The) Silent Witness March and our upcoming campaign – 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence – are our platforms to send a message of hope to the victims of domestic violence and showcase the resources which are available for them, as well as remind them that the community as a whole is there to help them.
‘Through this campaign, we also want to send a strong message to the perpetrators, of our policy of ‘zero tolerance’ against physical, mental, sexual or emotional abuse of any member of our community and offer them help to turn their lives around,’ Mrs. Kapoor said.
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