The Board of the Cayman Islands Crisis Centre (CICC) offers its wholehearted support for Ms. Claire Wetton’s Criminal Justice Report as it pertains to the issues of domestic violence cases.
In this report, Ms. Wetton correctly identifies gaps in the current system that severely impact victims of domestic violence and their rights to justice.
In June, the CICC Board released an article entitled #WhyIStayed, in order to help shed some light on the reasons why women and men stay in abusive relationships. The list of reasons, in part, are: fear (for their own lives or the lives of their children), embarrassment (they don’t want to be seen in the public as victims), low self-esteem (the victim feels that she/he deserves the punishment), and love (the victim still loves her partner and wants for the relationship to be different).
These are strong motivators for anyone, but when they are compounded by hearing dates that are many months ahead, it robs the victim of a sense of hope for the future: the sense that the judicial system cares about her and her children.
Ms. Wetton has recommended a specialist domestic violence court, that will fast track cases, which will lead to fewer retracted statements and a higher level of justice. This has been evidenced in other places. She wants to allow ‘hearsay evidence’ which will allow for testimony from others, should victims retract their statements. She wants to have separate waiting rooms for victims and the perpetrators. When you think that people who live in abusive relationships are coerced and bullied constantly, it is reasonable to understand that the brave woman who goes to the courthouse on the scheduled day determined to give her testimony might be convinced otherwise when faced with her abuser and his supporters in the waiting room.
We agree.
We support the suggestion for the legislative and operational changes Ms. Wetton has suggested in order to ensure that domestic violence victims are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve.
If you or someone you know is being abused — whether psychologically, physically, sexually, verbally or emotionally — call our 24-hour confidential emergency hotline at 943-2422. We accept calls from everyone and can help you to find a path to a life free from violence.
Yours sincerely,
Denise Gower, Chair of CICC and the Cayman Islands Crisis Centre Board.