Women’s Rights Group continues drive to arrest domestic violence

Jan 27, 2011 News

Significant strides are still being made by the “Break the Silence, Stop the Violence” movement as efforts are directed to help arrest the problem of domestic violence in the society.
According to a statement released by the movement’s founder members, who are in fact dedicated women’s rights advocates, the movement since being initiated in Guyana late last year “continues to grow in strength as we add to the number of supporters as well as to the number of victims who have been assisted.”

From left: Dianne Madray, Varshnie Singh, Stella Ramsaroop and Sukree Boodram

The “Break the Silence, Stop the Violence” team consists of Dianne Madray of the Irene Madray’s Recreational, Arts and Resources Centre; former First Lady Varshnie Singh of Kids First Fund; Kaieteur News Columnist Stella Ramsaroop and author of Breakout: A True Story, and Sukree Boodram.
Just last week the group of women met in New York to discuss plans to bring further awareness to the issue of domestic violence in Guyana.
Annetta Seecharran, a social justice strategist, also joined them for the recent meeting.
While in New York, Boodram and Madray were guests on AM 1600 WWRL to discuss domestic violence and to highlight Boodram’s book, which is soon to be released.
Boodram was also a guest on the television show Asian Indian Immigrant Experience where she talked about her own experiences with domestic violence and how after 21 years she finally broke free from that unhealthy relationship (http://blip.tv/file/4674048).
The publication which details the years of abuse Boodram suffered at the hands of her husband is due to be released in March.
The “Break the Silence, Stop the Violence” effort began in Guyana with a rally and a series of workshops to start a national conversation on domestic violence and today continues to move forward.
And plans are apace to include Guyanese communities in the United States and the Caribbean community at large, statement reveals.
Meanwhile, the team is currently making plans to reach out to collaborate with other organisations to enhance the impact it has had in the struggle against domestic violence. “We are ready and willing to work with anyone regardless of race, religion or political affiliation to address the escalating violence against victims of domestic violence,” the members have asserted.
And they have noted with much concern that in Guyana, in the first few weeks of this year alone, there have been at least 10 new domestic violence cases reported by the local media even as they observe that there are still old ones that are yet to be resolved.
The group singled out the case of Babita Sarjou as one of the outstanding cases of domestic violence perpetrated during the past year. Sarjou who disappeared last year has not been heard from since.
However, her estranged husband is due to return to court on February 9 on charges of posting nude photos of Babita around her workplace before she went missing.
Also, another victim of domestic violence, Tiffany Jackson is yet to receive justice. Her abuser is still on the loose after giving her a blow to the head with a glass bottle and causing extensive damage to her face and right eye. “We desire to see justice for the victims of these cases and many others….”
According to the team, it is because the global struggle against domestic violence continues that the “Break the Silence, Stop the Violence” movement must also continue. The team plans to detail forthcoming announcements as the particulars of its 2011 plans are finalised.