N.G.O.s Call for Collective Response against Domestic and Sexual Violence

Dr. Sharmayne Saunders

Non-government organizations have called for a collective response against domestic and sexual violence. The move follows recent reports of domestic assault primarily upon women. To this end, the Belize Network of Non-Governmental Organizations, otherwise known as the B.N.N., says it publicly commits to participating in a renewed collective response to identify targeted actions to address these issues. Haven House is a member of the B.N.N. and President of Haven House, Dr. Sharmayne Saunders explained to News Five that it is important to take a more aggressive approach to protect our families.

Dr. Sharmayne Saunders, President, Haven House

“We are grateful that the B.N.N. has taken up this initiative and we are in full support. We recognize also, that through our thirteenth senator, who represents the B.N.N., we are able to advocate for legislative changes and we at Haven House have discussed several areas where we believe there can be strengthening of legislation that will allow for a reduction in domestic violence situations. We’re grateful that there has been great advocacy on the part of the Minister of Human Development. For us at Haven House, we recognize and acknowledge her as one of the persons who has helped to make fundamental legislation in the past concerning domestic violence. That is a fact, and so we recognize that under her ministerial position she is now encouraging changes and advocating for those changes and really getting them done, and quickly noh. We look at the change recently for Nora Parham, the monumental and historical advances made in that area and we applaud those efforts. Recently, however, we’ve seen a spike in domestic violence situations and I think it has become very concerning for the community.”