The Tribune

Police Advice

By Corporal Makelle Pinder

REGARDLESS of race, gender or social status, it is unfortunate that domestic violence is a vicious act that does not discriminate among its victims. Even though it is against the law, it is a universal issue that transpires every day and victims and perpetrators are sometimes those who are least expected.

This offence, which includes physical, verbal, financial, spiritual, emotional, psychological, sexual, child and elder abuse, must be diminished and the Royal Bahamas Police Force National Crime Prevention Office has provided safety tips that can help to expose the abuser and save the abused.

For signs that you are in an abusive relationship, does your partner

• Hit, kick or slap you or your children?

• Display extremely jealous or possessive behaviour towards you?

• Exhibit disrespect of your opinion and make all of the decisions?

• Break things in anger and threaten you with weapons?

• Have a violent history and brag about mistreating others?

• Blame you and others for their own failure or belittle you verbally?

• Pressure you for sex and believe that you are just a sex object?

• Behaviour worsen when using prohibited drugs or alcohol and make you feel extremely fearful?

• Always ask for second chances and say that they will change and won’t abuse you again?

• Make your family and friends worry about your safety?

• Make you feel as if you are better off dead than alive?

• Always yell at you while at home and in public?

If you have answered yes to any of these questions, create a safety plan using these tips.

• Think of a safe place to go if an argument occurs.

• Avoid rooms with no exits, such as the bathroom or rooms with weapons (kitchen).

• Establish a “code word or sign” so that your family, friends, teacher or co-workers can know when to call for help.

• Contact the Crisis Centre or Social Services.

• Keep monetary funds with you at all times.

• Memorise all important phone numbers and make a list of safe people to contact.

• In case of an emergency, remember to keep minutes on your cellphone and ensure that it is always charged and handy.

• Always have a bag packed with clothing and toiletries, hidden in a secure and secret place.

• With regards to self-defence, always report anything that transpires to the police. This will help to create a history,

Remember that the police play an important role in preventing and ending the cycle of violence

• The police will conduct risk assessment, which includes interviews from all parties involved.

• There will be a proper investigation into suspected domestic violence.

• Officers will automatically consider the victim’s safety, privacy and protection.

• Matters involving children will be prioritised and forwarded to the Department of Social Services for investigation.

• Physical injuries will be referred to healthcare professionals for proper documentation of evidence.

• The police will enter and search premises without a warrant if they suspect domestic violence has occurred and the victim’s life is in further danger or if weapons are involved.

• The police will take the offender into custody if they believe the victim or the victim’s property is in further danger.

• The police will investigate breaches of the domestic violence order when a respondent continues to commit domestic violence after the order has been made.

If you prefer not to get the police involved with the situation, remember to

• File a police report, even if you do not want your abuser arrested. It documents the abuse which may become evidence for future court hearings (such as a custody hearing, assault, battery, murder or stalking case).

• Save all evidence from the assault such as medical reports, weapons, damaged property or names and contact information of witnesses. It also involves taking pictures of your injuries. Whether or not you file charges, you may need proof of the incident later.

• Apply for a protection order if they are satisfied domestic violence has occurred.

Remember that domestic violence is not a way of life, it is a death trap that sifts out the weak and destroy lives.

For more information on domestic violence or if you have information pertaining to any crime, please contact the police at ‘919’ or Crime Stoppers at 328-tips (New Providence), 1-300-8476 (Family Islands) or if you know of individuals who may be in need of counselling and emotional support contact the Department of Social Services hotline 322-2763 or the Crisis Centre at 328-0922 or 322-4999.