SAVE Foundation seeking to launch nation-wide campaign

WE all need to be a part of the solution.

This message from Chairman of the SAVE Foundation of Barbados, Barbara Daniel-Goddard, in a statement strongly condemning the recent gruesome killing of 36-year-old Onica King in the City over the weekend in an apparent domestic violence dispute.

The chairman acknowledged that the cry coming from the public will be, “What is going to be done or who is going to do something to address the problem?”

However, according to Daniel-Goddard, “You know it is not just up to others, we are all responsible and we all need to be part of the solution – so stop getting angry and crying, get proactive,” she said as she made a fervent call for persons to come forward and help the victims and perpetrators of domestic violence.

The chairman revealed that as part of planned activities for the year, the foundation will be engaging in a nation-wide campaign to raise more visual awareness of domestic violence. “We ask the public to join us in becoming volunteer members of the organisation to help with the many projects and issues that need to be addressed in relation to domestic violence. So instead of being outraged, come and join us in helping to combat domestic violence. You never know when you might need us,” she said.

Daniel-Goddard reiterated that the SAVE Foundation is appalled at the horrendous killing of the nail technician. “It is clear that domestic violence and abuse has not decreased and although 2017 appeared to reflect a decrease, we are clearly seeing that 2018 has made it very obvious that domestic violence is definitely not reducing.”

The chairman also expressed concern about the video of King’s death, which was disseminated on social media platforms. “For us at SAVE, we are concerned that the video taken and shared was totally dis-respectful of the victim. Persons sharing that video at no time thought about the impact of what it would mean to that person’s family and for those children being there and seeing such violence. We implore persons to stop sharing this kind of information.

“In observing that video, it would appear that none of the persons involved know First Aid/CPR. I am not saying that the lady would not have died, but it might have prolonged her life until the ambulance arrived – here is a good reason why we must increase First Aid/CPR knowledge to individuals and businesses,” she suggested.

The Chairman revealed that the foundation will continue its work by rolling out a series of workshops to the public on domestic violence and abuse – be it verbal, mental, emotional, financial, physical, coercive, psychological; and also the impact on relationships and the wider social environment, dealing with anger, displacement and life challenges.