Politicians joined with the Jamaica Coalition against Domestic Violence recently to raise awareness about the social issue in Portland.
Armed with placards and crying ‘No to domestic violence’ they marched into the town of Port Antonio.
The People’s National Caretaker for East Portland, Damion Crawford was among them. According to him, Domestic Violence affects the country’s growth and development as both women and men are abusing each other. This affects children who might be a part of that household.
He adds that using a march to highlight the issue as well as the signs of Intimate Partner Violence is critical.
One of the cofounders of the Jamaica Coalition Against Domestic Violence used the medium to call on citizens to contact the police once they suspect any incident of domestic violence. She says instead of using smart devices to video these occurrences, citizens must act immediately to prevent a tragedy.
The National Women’s Survey (2016) shows that one in four women are affected by intimate partner violence.
The findings indicate that, many of these women are mothers, whose children are watching and listening to horrific acts of violence that should never be a part of their childhood.
A recent UNICEF study also showed that 176 million children under age five – 1 in 4 children worldwide – live with a mother who is a victim of intimate partner violence.
