A woman is beaten by her husband as her children watch, cowering in fear. The first few times it happens, she calls the police, who ask her if she really wants to "put him through this." Neighbors turn a blind eye or ask why she doesn’t "act right." She starts to believe she deserves it. Her sons grow up and abuse their wives. Her daughters marry abusive men. Without education throughout the community regarding domestic violence, the cycle of abuse continues.
To put a stop to that cycle, the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV), a leading voice for domestic violence victims and their families, kicked off its ninth annual conference Monday at the Marriott Frenchman’s Reef & Morning Star Beach Resort. Approximately 120 attendees from nearly every state and territory, including law-enforcement officials, survivors of abuse, judges and domestic-violence experts, have come together to share best practices, attend training seminars and develop strategies to improve responses to domestic and sexual abuse.
Opening remarks in support of the conference and its efforts toward working together to educate communities in the prevention of domestic violence were made by Delegate Donna M. Christensen, Gov. John deJongh Jr. and Lynn Spencer, director of the V.I. Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Council.
Sue Else, president of NNEDV, discussed the prevalence of domestic abuse.
"One in four women will experience domestic violence at some point in their lives, and three women are killed every day at the hands of a current or former intimate partner," she said.
There were very few dry eyes in the room as Leitha Cummings, St. Croix resident and employee of the V.I. Department of Human Services, recounted the day her daughter and infant grandson were murdered by the child’s father as her 4-year-old grandson watched from his hiding place in the closet. Cummings was at Wendy’s getting a salad when a friend suggested she call her daughter. It turns out the friend had received a call from her own daughter in Washington, D.C., after hearing that Cummings’ daughter had been murdered.
Cummings praised the Women’s Coalition of St. Croix, saying they showed up at her door the following morning and stayed with her from that moment on, ensuring that both she and her surviving grandson got the counseling they needed. They also kept her abreast of court dates and any information she needed to know.
She voiced her appreciation for the strength given to her by the coalition during that dark and difficult time.
"To fellow survivors, you cannot do it alone," Cummings said. "They were there for me every step of the way."
Monday’s panels included representatives from the V.I. Department of Justice, the Family Resource Center and the Women’s Coalition of St. Croix. Wayne Anderson, special counsel to the V.I. Attorney General, discussed ways to enhance the criminal-justice system’s response to domestic violence.He recounted stories of first responders coming on the scene and asking victims "See what you made him do?" or "Do you really want to go through with this?"
Anderson stressed the need for education throughout the entire community, with the priority being the education of first responders, such as members of the police department.
Tina Gillespie-LaBorde, an attorney with Legal Services of the Virgin Islands, spoke of a collaborative effort between Legal Services, the Attorney General’s office and local coalitions in which more than 200 police officers in the territory have gone through domestic-violence training. Quite a few of those officers were in attendance at the conference and were recognized with a round of applause.
The conference continues Tuesday at the Westin St. John Resort & Villas, with emphasis on training for board of directors development and sharing best practices of law-enforcement responses.
