(CNS): Following the passage of the Protection from Domestic Violence Law 2010, which allows third parties to apply for various protection orders for people who are victims of violence in the home, the Estella Scott-Roberts Foundation is launching its second annual campaign, “Silence Hurts: If You See Something, Say Something”. Throughout this year-long campaign, the foundation hopes to encourage people to speak up when they know violence and abuse is taking place as the law now enables people other than the victims to apply for protection orders. “With the simple act of speaking up, each member of the community can help to eradicate domestic violence,” a spokesperson said.
The campaign begins on 17 October in a public ceremony at the Harquail Theatre at 5pm, marking the second anniversary of the tragic death of Estella Scott-Roberts, an activist and advocate in the fight against gender violence and inequality. Scott-Roberts, who was herself violently murdered on 10 October 2008, was passionate and dedicated to eradicating violence and abuse against women and children.
“The main message of the foundation is to end gender violence and to speak out against issues such as domestic abuse, sexual violence and gender inequality,” said Rayle Roberts, chairperson of the foundation and Estella’s widower. “While these social ills are most-often visited upon women and children, it will take all of us, men and women, to end this abuse. The theme this year is ‘Silence Hurts’ and as a result we are reaching out to everyone; if you see domestic violence occurring, say something. ” he said. “We implore people: Do not be afraid to speak out. The only way to stop the violence is to address it, to make sure people understand that there is never a justification or an excuse for gender violence.”
The law is also now on the side of those who speak out since they can begin the process of protecting themselves against their abusers, and other people who know of friends and family who are being abused can instigate the process of gaining a legal protection order for those they know are in danger.
Quoting Martin Luther King Jr, who said that lives begin to end when we become silent about things that matter, Roberts said he captured the corrosive effect of social ills, such as violence, not only on its victims but on everyone that does not try to stop it. “We cannot hope to attain a peaceful, caring, and harmonious society if we remain silent about domestic violence; it affects us all,” Rayles said.
The foundation is encouraging everyone to speak out and to speak up wherever they find the problem, whenever they see it. Domestic violence knows no economic, social or class boundaries and it is the responsibility of all members of this community, as neighbours, as parents, as spouses, as friends, as men and women to stop it.
Roberts appealed to anyone who suspects that violence is taking place to tell someone trusted — a teacher, a church leader, a coach, a counsellor, another family member, friends, police, or social workers — as they can now begin the process of gaining legal protection for those who are suffering.
I’m sure that all of us know or hear of someone who is in an abusive relationship – whether it is physical, mental or emotional.
These individuals mostly women continue to stay in these abusive relationships because of the kids, or because they have no where else to go; or so they make up some other excuse for the hit, and the hurts.
I hope that we as a community will take advantage of this new law and make a report especially on the ones that hit close to home.
Happy belated birthday in heaven Estella!
Its very interesting seeing all done in Her memory yet some have forgotten her Birthday Happy Birthday S me and the girls miss u and we will see you on the otherside.
I agree with women are violent as well too.
like my parents say, if you and that certain person is not happy then it would be best to go your separtate ways, and if their are kids involves then as parents, need to come together to split equal time with the kids, but no mothers thrive on this, fill the kids heads with your daddy is no good, he has another woman, then when the father comes around she is just waiting for him to pounce on him, then call the police he beat me.
i am a firm beliver that yes it goes both ways, but lets be honest here, at one time it would only be belived that women were the only victims in a domestic violence, do you know that men go through depression also, when you look around do we not see women driniking, partying just as bad, some are closet hitters meaning (drugs) but no one sees them.
there was an incident, where the police had to be involved, the police spoke to both parties which i was glad to see because usually it would be to arrest the male and ask questions later, but the police have begun to caught on the lies the women have weave for themselves.
the way i see it on either side no one has the right to harm anyone. all that foolishness about he’s suppose to be the man, guess what your’re suppose to be the woman too.
@ NBA:
Interesting post.
This world has many abusive and disgusting men …
However, society has been taken to the point where women tend to be automatically viewed as the "victim" in ALL instances of "domestic violence".
If I could count the number of men that are sitting in prison right now or have been smeared with arrests records simply because they were forced to DEFEND THEMSELVES from an irrational, irate and "emotional" woman.
(I have never in my adult life been involved in a man-on-man physical altercation – however, it was not until a certain "relationship" that I found myself bleeding, injured, shirtless and fuming, surrounded by 6 – 8 police officers in my home in the middle of the night and at a high risk of being taken into custody.)
That when I knew it was time to end that particular relationship. Oh, guess what? She eventually moved on to another relationship and HE was forced to deal with the very same situation.
I know I will get the question (as usual): "What did you do for her to react that way?"
Does it matter? Does anyone ask the same question when the aggression is reversed between the sexes?
Some women / people are simply relentless and when angered lose all notion of "Okay, Im going to far."
*Word to the wise ladies – if you constantly find yourself involved in physical altercations with men who normally don’t conduct themselves in such a manner … chances are the problem is YOU not the MEN! You are / were the common denominator in all of those unions. (I say that because many women tend to have difficulty acknowledging that they may actually be in the wrong at such times.)*
It was not until I experienced such a woman / relationship that I was forced to reconsider my "automatic" stance on reports, rumors and instances of "domestic violence" or "he’s beating his woman".
The fact is that the way the world is today many women honestly feel they have the inherent right to physically challenge a man – and these very women will be the ones to cry "foul" whenever someone lends an ear or the cops come running – very frustrating indeed.
I have lost friends, rental agreements, neighborly acquaintances, credits of reputation etc. due to the typical automatic response that society tends to attribute whenever we hear a commotion next door.
We would all be amazed at who are the unstable women walking around within our society today – even highly educated professionals. If men did half of the things they have done they would be rotting in prisons right now.
Furthermore, many tend to find it comical when they witness or hear of such woman-on-man violence, or they will mock the man and smirk slyly upon the news of the man took the RESPONSIBLE ACTION of calling the police.
It is not funny.
Plus it shows tremendous control and restraint on the part of the man, for if he wanted to he could easily knock the female out cold from her enraged frenzy of bottle throwing, kicking, scratching, spitting, punching, swearing and blade waving.
I apologize for taking the thread a bit off course from its intended purpose – however, I do believe what I have said is quite relevant to the interested and involved parties and organizations.
Yes, you did take the thread off course and in the process, you may have misinterpreted the message:
"The foundation is encouraging EVERYONE to speak out and to speak up WHEREVER they find the problem, whenever they see it. Domestic violence knows no economic, social or class boundaries and it is the responsibility of all members of this community, as neighbours, as parents, as spouses, as friends, as men and women to STOP IT."
I’m sorry you were the victim of domestic abuse, but perhaps you will see domestic abuse doesn’t know any boundaries and when it happens behind closed doors… it is a problem that affects all of us.
"EVERYONE" includes men obviously, so why you acting dumb like brrrrr, duhhh!!
Or do the Foundation need to state the ficking obvious to you — EVERYONE including men that are abused, verbally or physically or mentally by other men or women in a relationship in or outside the home and on Sundays.
What a wonderful legacy for Estella if everyone who was affected by her passing began on this path.
True…
Estella does have a wonderful legacy, but what I don’t understand is that her passing away didn’t had anything to do with Domestic Violence. Sorry to offend many of you… but rather Estella’s death was attributed to the cold-blooded murder by two strangers.
It seems to me that the Foundation MAY have adopted the "Domestic Violence’ view" after the many rumors that Estella was a victim of one! I recall how much her husband suffered from such false rumors.
It was until after people allowed the Police to investigate without casting judgement, that the Foundation highlighted the contributions of Estella, and declared her contributions as the sole reason for making her into their role model.
Yes… Estella fought against domestic violence or abused towards women and children. But it is interesting how "MEN" as abusers and a former male abuser who was released from prison, were deemed the "scapegoat" responsible for her death!
As a result, there are some women supporting the Foundation, I, as a male person will never ever show my RESPECTS to this day! The way they went on… their hate… and prejudices… bowed myhead in shame to be amongst them!
Domestic Violence is not just a WOMAN thing!
The Foundation has many good and upright women who are IMPARTIAL. But my personal view is… if some of them were abused individuals themselves, how in the world would you be able to have FAIR DEALINGS in a domestic situation where you have a female, calling herself the victim, painting the male into a monster. That is what happened to Estella’s husband! For a time, he was painted into a MONSTER, and…the true colors of these "social workers" claiming to defend Estella’s cause, was revealed by some other prominent women of society.
Again… Domestic Violence is not just a WOMAN thing! I have seen women (incapable of having the same physical strength of their male spouse), use their tongue in the most destructive way that their own community had no remorse for them when the man finally snapped! It is like boil water under the kettle. The kettle will one day whistle!
I have not heard anything from this Foundation regarding VERBAL ABUSE and making FALSE REPORTS. I have not heard anything made public on VERBALLY ABUSING CHILDREN! At least, I heard news of the name change of "WOMEN’S RESOURCE CENTER"
Have you seen the Family Resource website? I went on there long before Estella’s death and it listed signs of verbal abuse. I’m totally confused about what you are trying to say.
As for people thinking that a husband of an abused woman may have had something to do with her death…it’s called motive and one of the first people to think of. That it was total strangers was a shock to many people.
It’s a shame that people have something negative to say about such a positive thing. Can’t we stop the divisions? Expats vs Caymanians, Caymanians vs Caymanians, and now Men against Women. Goodness gracious..the criminals are taking over and we are fighting against positive things that will help our youth find themselves and lead a better life?
No, Estella was not a victim of domestic violence but she worked extensively with the victims of abuse. That is why her Foundation is addressing this issue and domestic violence is very prevalent in Cayman against men, women and children.
As I recall the Foundation stands against all violence. That would mean any form of violence against any person, including men.
No disrespect either, but I think you may have misunderstood what the Foundation is doing – just continuing Estellas work with victims of violence.