The forming of the human heart was the highlight of the CCT Cares event against Domestic Violence at Tortola Pier Park on February 24, 2018. Photo: VINO

Jerilee T. Hopkins (second from left), Public Relations and Marketing Coordinator, stated that the event is a part of their CCT Care initiatives to stand against domestic violence and show support to the victims. Photo: VINO

Community coming together to form the human heart at the CCT Cares initiative at the Tortola Pier Park (TTP) in Road Town on Saturday, February 24, 2018. Photo: VINO

Miss BVI Khephra D. Sylvester stated that persons should educate themselves in order to identify the signs of domestic violence. Photo: VINO

Henderson K. Tittle (far right), President of Mentoring Anointed Leaders Everywhere (MALE), expressed that he is against domestic violence '100 percent'. Photo: VINO

Henderson K. Tittle, President of Mentoring Anointed Leaders Everywhere (MALE), calls for more mentorship programmes to help the youths and more father presence. Photo: VINO

This is according to Jerilee T. Hopkins, CCT BVI's Public Relations and Marketing Coordinator, during the CCT Cares initiative at the Tortola Pier Park (TTP) in Road Town on Saturday, February 24, 2018.

This event is one of many outreach programmes that CCT will be undertaking to reach out to the community and give back during the rebuilding efforts.

Ms Hopkins told our newsroom that on March 8, 2018, CCT will be collaborating with the Office of Gender Affairs on International Women's Day to have a information booth at Peebles Hospital where they will give out brochures with tips on helping women to become better individuals.

In addition, during their March madness promotion, they will be giving away $1,000 every week.

"We need to educate ourselves first" - Khephra D. Sylvester

In an exclusive interview with Miss BVI Khephra D. Sylvester, she stated that persons should educate themselves in order to identify the signs of domestic violence.

"In terms of domestic violence we need to educate ourselves on the signs of somebody who is experiencing domestic violence. So I think the first step would be for us to educate ourselves as much as possible so that we can identify victims and then we can then in turn maybe personally help them or encourage them to go and talk to someone like Dr [Sylvia M.] Simmonds in the Family Support Network (FSN) or Social Development. So I think it does start with us but we need to educate ourselves first so that we can identify victims," said Ms Sylvester.

She further commented that events such as what CCT BVI is hosting, shows support to the victims.

Speaking on the recent gun violence, Miss BVI emphasised that it is "horrible" and hopes that violence overall can be eradicated.

"I'm against it 100 percent" - Henderson K. Tittle

In an interview with Henderson K. Tittle, President of Mentoring Anointed Leaders Everywhere (MALE), he expressed that he is against domestic violence "100 percent".

"Whether it’s a woman or a man who is hitting, I am not for it. That’s not your child so you should not be hitting someone. It’s best you walk away and find something else to do. Go away and leave them alone but hitting someone or hitting a woman, wow that’s so disrespectful. I’m against it 100 percent," emphasised Mr Tittle.

He also mentioned that he is not happy with the recent gun violence that is taking place with the youths.

"I am not happy with what I am seeing because an eye for an eye leaves everybody blind and it doesn’t matter what I have done to you, you can forgive me and we can move on. If I try to get back at you, I’m actually blinding you because you blind me," said the President of MALE.

He continued, "We need more mentorship programmes like MALE. There are a lot of fathers who give a lot of stuff. They give gifts, presents, but their presence is not there. So they buy a lot of stuff but they are not spending enough time with their sons and that is why we are seeing a lot of fathers but we are not seeing mentors. So we need more mentors and we need fathers to step up and take their place."

FSN's Domestic Violence cases in 2017 

Meanwhile, in a video message released by CCT BVI, FSN said in 2017 it did 310 counseling sessions with women and 182 with men. Of that number, 49 were women who were referred for domestic violence and 3 were men.

"Whatever the problem is, FSN is there for you. You can always call them at 494-7622 or 540-2085," the video advised.