Health stakeholders gathered at the Baha Mar Resort on Thursday to discuss the issue of violence.

National Crime Prevention Committee Chairman, Dr. David Allen expressed to the gathering that there is still hope.  He said, “I don’t understand this but I know one thing The Bahamas is governed by our Christian faith.  There’s no condemnation in Christ Jesus.  Don’t tell me of a generation cursed, you can get free and I can show you people who have gotten free.  I can show you people who’ve killed but don’t kill anymore, people who stole who don’t steal anymore.  There’s hope, you have to always give hope.”

Minister of Health and Wellness, the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville also attended the Violence Prevention Forum.  He spoke to the proliferation of violent acts in the country.  “To often our news coverage is filled with stories of bloodshed, gang violence, sexual abuse, child abuse, elder neglect, intimate partner violence and other forms of abuse that seems to be growing in both frequency and intensity across the country but mainly in our urban areas.  Some people compare violence as a virus or disease like cancer if left untreated is capable of spreading and causing rapid harm but just as violence spreads so can hope.  Hope can spread through our communities when we encourage each other to speak up and take the appropriate action.”

The keynote address was delivered by Prime Minister, the Hon. Philip Davis.  During his remarks he said, “homicides, suicides, and violent assaults remain stubbornly high, and while we have seen progress in some areas, the persistence of these trends reminds us that much work remains.  This reality is not unique to The Bahamas; it is shared by our Caribbean neighbors. Our region, regrettably, bears one of the highest homicide rates in the world, with rates that are four times the global average.”

Among attendees at the forum were the Hon. Pia Glover-Rolle, Minister of Labour and the Public Service; Sen. Hon. Ryan Pinder; Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs; the Hon. Glenys Hanna Martin, Minister of Education and Technical and Vocational Training and the Hon. Myles Laroda, Minister of Social Services, Information and Broadcasting.