The Domestic Violence Unit of the Human Services Ministry on Friday held an awareness session with the Pepsi Sonics basketball team.
According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) press release, the session was held at the National Gymnasium. It aimed at educating the players; ages 13 to 28, about different aspect of domestic violence and to help them to deal with domestic difficulties.
Head of the Unit Geetangeli Geer said the policy was launched under the theme ‘Break the Cycle, Take Control’ and is aimed at educating victims on how to get help. Geer told the audience that children are often injured when incidences occur and they become depressed which leads to poor performance at school.
Geer said women are the main victims of domestic violence and statistics show that one three women will experience such abuse in their lifetime. She said too domestic violence is a major cause of death and disability in women between the ages of 14 and 41. Geer told the audience that the major factors that cause domestic violence are stereotyped roles, expectations of women, the economic and social dominance of men and women’s dependence on men. She said too if a person is prone to violence there will be repeated incidences.
Geer told the group that any person being abused can file a complaint. She also said persons can contact counselling services such as the Legal Aid Clinic, Help and Shelter, Red Thread and law enforcement agencies for assistance. Geer commended the team members for their interest in sport adding that their commitment will help them to abstain from drugs and other illegal activities.
