With more than 1000 reported cases of domestic violence in the past two years, Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs Kirk Humphrey has called for stronger implementation of domestic violence policies, warning that unless the country prioritises practical, on-the-ground interventions, survivors will continue to fall through the cracks of an underperforming system.
Delivering the feature address at the opening of the National Consultation on Domestic Violence on Monday at the Savannah Beach Club, Humphrey said Barbados must move beyond policy development and focus on practical solutions to address what he described as a national scourge.
“It’s not for a lack of policies. Barbados is at a point where I do not think there is any serious social policy issue where you cannot find a paper of worth,” he said.
“What we need now is real-life, practical interventions and implementation.”
The consultation, hosted by the Ministry of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs in collaboration with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), UN Women, and other stakeholders, aims to develop a National Domestic Violence Action Plan built around six key areas: legislation, policy, social norms and prevention, essential services, data, and collaboration.
According to official police statistics, 574 cases of domestic violence were reported in 2023.
Humphrey shared that, for 2024, the number is projected to be slightly lower—just over 450—but he stressed that these figures remain far too high, noting, “A single case of domestic violence is too much.”
“It comes at a psychological cost, an economic cost, and a social cost that this country cannot afford.”
Humphrey praised the longstanding work of the Business and Professional Women’s Club, which, according to him, has quietly provided safe housing for battered women.
He however stressed that the secrecy surrounding the location of shelters is not just about discretion but that it is essential to the safety of both survivors and those who care for them.
“I just want to advise persons who come to the club to know that they have to remain secretive about where the location is, for obvious reasons,” he said.
“Because when you tell the same person who has hurt you where you are, you put yourself and others at risk.”
He also acknowledged the psychological and emotional complexities often involved in abusive relationships, noting that victims sometimes struggle to separate from their abuser due to fear, dependency, or manipulation.
Humphrey said the COVID-19 pandemic had exacerbated the issue, with reports of increased domestic abuse during lockdowns.
He added that survivors must feel confident that when they report abuse, they will be treated with dignity and their concerns taken seriously by the police, the courts, and social services.
“Too many women have said that has not been their experience,” he noted, further calling for a cultural shift in how Barbadians approach relationships and conflict resolution.
He urged both genders—particularly men—to be more mindful in their interactions.
“We have to talk about how we raise our sons and how we raise our daughters,” he said.
“We have to break the cycle.”
While recognising the progress made over the past 30 years, especially in advancing women’s rights, the minister said domestic violence remains one of the country’s most stubborn challenges.
“Yes, we have reports. Yes, we have policies. But unless we implement them in a way that actually helps people, we are just talking. And I think people are tired of talking.”
The consultation continues Tuesday with working sessions designed to shape actionable outcomes to strengthen the country’s response to domestic violence. (SM)
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