ST. THOMAS —\u00a0In a proclamation declaring October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Governor Kenneth Mapp urged victims and their families to seek assistance, and for the community to work together to eliminate domestic violence in the territory.<\/p>\n
An average of three women die each day as a result of domestic violence and significant numbers of both men and women will experience domestic violence in their lifetimes, according to Government House.<\/p>\n
The governor\u2019s proclamation states that domestic violence has been responsible for the death of over 260 Virgin Islanders in recent years.<\/p>\n
\u201cVictim service agencies in the Virgin Islands assist an average of 69 victims territorially per day,\u201d the proclamation states. \u201cThe problem of domestic violence is not confined to any group or groups of people, but crosses all economic, racial, general, sexual orientation, educational, religious, and societal barriers, and is sustained by societal indifference.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr. Mapp said it is time to end that indifference and for victims to report these crimes.<\/p>\n
\u201cVictims should be able to find the compassion, comfort, and healing they need through access to medical and legal services, counseling, transitional housing, and other supportive services,\u201d the Proclamation states. \u201cWe encourage domestic violence victims and their families to seek assistance from the Women\u2019s Coalition of St. Croix (340-773-9272), Family Resource Center (340-776-3966) and the National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE).\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Feature Image: St. Croix Women participate in \u00a0Women’s Coalition’s 2015 Women’s Race. (Credit: Ernice Gilbert, VIC)<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Correction: Oct. 15, 2016<\/strong><\/p>\n Because of a text error, the title of this story stated that the governor proclaimed November as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The correct month, as included in the body of the story, is October. The story has been updated to reflect the correct information.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" ST. THOMAS —\u00a0In a proclamation declaring October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Governor Kenneth Mapp urged victims and their families to seek assistance, and for the community to work together to eliminate domestic violence in the territory. An average of three women die each day as a result of domestic violence and significant numbers of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":23625,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[628,191,147],"tags":[169,5936,121],"yoast_head":"\n