Reality of Belizean domestic abuse video launched
It’s an issue that has been swept under the rug in too many Belizean homes. In an effort to get rid of domestic abuse, this morning, the Women’s Department launched a video that will put the reality of the problem in your face.
Dr. Carol Fonseca, Director, Women?s Dept.
?Too many times we hear our neighbours being slapped and punched and beaten and we turn our eyes, we don?t want to hear that.?
Alyssa Noble, Reporting
For many Belizean women, domestic violence is an everyday reality. With that in mind, the Women?s Department has produced a fifty-five minute documentary to highlight this dark shadow on society.
According to Human Development Coordinator Icilda Humes, because abuse is not openly condemned, perpetrators create a vicious cycle.
Icilda Humes, Human Development Coordinator, Women?s Dept.
?They all have something in common, the fact that they were subjected to abuse not by strangers but by people whom they loved and trusted, whom they had confidence in. These women were abused by boyfriends, common-law husbands and husbands and by doing these documentaries with them and listening to their experiences; you may say one domestic violence case compared to another is the same. It is so different because the details, the issues they may all have the same common denominator but each of these women have been through experiences that have been unique to them. When it comes to domestic violence, often times when young men in particular are subjected to these sorts of things in their homes, they grow up thinking it?s acceptable. Thinking domestic violence is a common part of communication skills and it?s the normal way to deal with conflicts in the home. So they grow up themselves thinking this way and they themselves turn into batterers and abusers and it starts the whole cycle of abuse again.?
Humes and brave survivors have combined their efforts to erase domestic violence.
Icilda Humes
?Well the whole bottom line is that we just don?t want to see a reduction, but a complete elimination of domestic violence in our country. When we were sitting in there, as we launched the documentary, it was interesting to listen and to see the reactions of the students who we?re there. Some of them we?re saying, but dah so, women supposed to provide these services, and she wah get lik up if she doesn?t, and that?s shocking, that?s scary. And that goes back to nurture. These are things our young men, our young people seeing portrayed.?
The video was designed to shock viewers?and has certainly changed this student?s outlook.
Ashley Davis, Ebenezer Methodist School
?I walked out of that theatre feeling sad because I don?t know what can happen to me in the future or to any one of my siblings. And if I was in that position, I would really feel bad about it because I would be abused and I know people out there who are being abused too. I?ve learned a lot from that document. And I know now that in the future I don?t have to depend on any man, that once I get my education, I can put my mind forward too and what I want in life. So I don?t have to depend on anyone but myself.?
Delvorine Duheany was living in an abusive relationship when her partner threw acid in her eyes, partially blinding her. Today, she encourages all those living in violent homes to leave while they can.
Delvorine Duheany, Survivor of Domestic Violence
?Well I would like to tell them you know, that it?s not right and that it?s not all the time that you get the courage and the strength to get out and the determination to stay out but you can do it. You can find that strength from within and you can make it. You just have to put your mind to whatever you want and it can be done.?
Alyssa Noble reporting for News Five
“Domestic Violence the Belize Reality,” will be aired in its entirety immediately following tonight’s newscast.
