Minister of Social Services, Information and Broadcasting, the Hon. Myles K. LaRoda, Monday continued to “decry” all acts of violence in-country, but especially violence against women and girls, while simultaneously encouraging communities across the archipelago to: “Be each other’s brother’s and sister’s keeper.”
Minister LaRoda said the death of 12-year-old schoolgirl, Adriel Moxey, and others like her, should serve as a wake-up call for the nation.
“I am saddened by the tragedy that unfolded last Wednesday (November 20, 2024). The loss of 12-year-old Adriel Moxey has affected all of us. No parent should ever have to face the heartbreaking reality of losing a child, especially to violence. The questions abound and among them are: How did this happen? Why did this happen? Where was Adriel’s village?”
Minister LaRoda’s comments came during a follow-up meeting Monday, November 25, with members of the media. The day, November 25, is selected for global observance of International Day to End Violence Against Women (and girls).
He also took the opportunity to remember the life of Ms. Vernencha Butler, a 72-year-old female who was killed in the confines of her own home during a home invasion.
“We continue to decry such acts of violence and to encourage our community to be our brother’s and sister’s keeper. We must continue to work together in earnest (Government, communities, families, and individuals) to ensure that every child is safe and protected from harm.
“Just last week I had the opportunity to speak briefly concerning the unfortunate death of young Adriel Moxey and at that time I indicated that I would address the press once my Department had provided details on this matter.”
During that first meeting, called to announce plans for the annual observance of National Women’s Week and to speak briefly to the Moxey tragedy, Mr. LaRoda made a “clarion call” for an end to all violence in-country, but in particular, violence against women and girls. He said at that time, that the Ministry, its various Departments and Divisions, along with its government and non-governmental partners and stakeholders and advocacy groupings, must, and will, remain “resolute” in their push as it relates to “rooting out this scourge.”
The start of National Women’s Week serves as the precursor to the global observance of the United Nations’ ‘Sixteen Days of Activism to End Violence against Women and Girls,’ which will be observed from November 25, — the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women — to December 10, Human Rights Day. The campaign calls for global action to increase awareness, advocacy and innovation to help end violence against women and girls.
Minister LaRoda, in calling for more community collaboration and involvement, said it appears as if Bahamians have become “desensitized” to the violence going on around them.
“We look at what is going on, and I said this last week, and I don’t want this to be taken for granted or to sound the alarm, but it is safe to say that, in some ways, we have lost our innocence as a community. We have become almost desensitized to murder, rape, all of these other things that are going on, and when it affects a segment that we say touches that nerve, then there is an outcry and then two, three weeks removed, we get right back into the same old comfort zone. It is not cliché to say that all of us, including the media, have a role to play.”
Mr. LaRoda said officials at the Ministry and its various Departments and Divisions will continue to work with stakeholders, both government and non-governmental, in their push to address gender-based violence — a human rights violation.
“As we do our part, I encourage the villages, which is every sector of our society, to come together, not as bystanders, but as active participants, to create a safer and more supportive environment for our children. The death of Adriel and others like her, should serve as a wake-up call for our nation. We must continue to work together in earnest – government, communities, families and individuals, to ensure that every child is safe, and protected from harm.”
Minister LaRoda said: “Adriel’s situation, like so many others, is a reflection of a system that is stretched too thin and is overwhelmed. The government cannot do this alone. We need stronger, more coordinated efforts to support families in crisis. We need you, the public, to be our eyes and ears. If you see something or suspect something, report it (to the Department of Social Services National Hotline). I would like to note here that while some may say we have done nothing when reports are made to the hotline, we have in fact also had reported cases where we have acted and persons have then made complaints because they felt that our intervention was not required.”
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