Press Release
The Anglican Diocese of The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands, in conjunction with the Ministry of Social Services, Information and Broadcasting (MOSSIB), recently hosted the closing ceremony for the Pastoral Care Family Violence Prevention Ministry’s Perpetrator Counsellor Training Programme under the Tamar Project.
The ceremony was held on Friday, January 23, at MOSSIB’s Parenting Programme Unit on University Drive, Oakes Field, bringing together faith leaders, social service professionals, programme facilitators, law enforcement representatives, and graduates united by a shared commitment to restoring families and strengthening communities.
Held under the theme “Sensational Seven: In Partnership to Restore Families,” the programme is driven by a clear mission — to heal hearts and homes, one family at a time — by addressing family violence through accountability, counselling, and behavioural transformation.
The training programme creates a structured and supportive space for perpetrators of family violence to receive counselling that challenges harmful patterns of behaviour, reshapes perspectives, and supports lasting change. While reconciliation may occur in some cases, organisers emphasised that the most significant impact is often felt by children, who benefit when a parent once associated with violence commits to a transformed life and becomes a positive, engaged contributor to their wellbeing.
The programme’s objectives include offering counselling to perpetrators of family violence, supporting ongoing personal transformation, reducing incidents of violence nationwide, and fostering healthier environments for families — particularly children. These efforts align with MOSSIB’s broader goals to strengthen access to justice for women and girls, eliminate violence, and promote gender equality through safer, more stable family structures.
Delivering one of the feature addresses at the ceremony was Chief Magistrate Roberto Reckley, who provided powerful insight into the judicial process and its impact on victims, perpetrators, and families alike. Chief Magistrate Reckley highlighted how family violence cases place significant emotional and procedural strain on the courts, while also deeply affecting households and communities.
He lauded the establishment of the new Family Supreme Court Complex on Bernard Road, noting that it alleviates pressure on the criminal court system while providing a dedicated space for lawful mediation and resolution of family-related disputes. He further applauded programme administrators for their proactive work, emphasizing that initiatives such as this help reduce the number of matters that ultimately reach the courts by equipping perpetrators — and potential perpetrators — with tools in communication, responsibility, and accountability. He added that inspiring individuals toward productive life paths not only strengthens families but also enables them to contribute more positively to society.
Programme leadership was spearheaded by Reverend Angela Palacious, Director of Anglican Diocesan Pastoral Care Ministries, alongside Reverend Cheryl Carroll, Coordinator, Trainer, and Counsellor. Programme support was provided by Brenda Charlton, Administrator of New Life Missions International, with technical support from D’Ondre Miller of the Anglican Diocesan Youth Department.
Representatives of the Royal Bahamas Police Force Prevention Unit also addressed the gathering, recognising the value of rehabilitative and preventative programmes in the national fight against crime. They noted that strengthening families through early intervention plays a critical role in creating healthier, happier, and more wholesome homes across The Bahamas.
A response on behalf of the graduates was delivered by Pleasant Bridgewater, who expressed gratitude for the training and shared the graduates’ enthusiasm to assist in transforming lives. She noted that participants are eager to apply their skills in supporting perpetrators with practical parenting tools and guidance that can positively shape the lives of their children.
Further reflecting the Anglican Diocese’s commitment to sustained community outreach, the Tamar Project also incorporates virtual parenting sessions, extending learning and support beyond the classroom. This component ensures continued engagement with families and reinforces the project’s long-term impact throughout the region.
MOSSIB reaffirmed its commitment not only to providing assistance and aid to families facing social challenges, but also to actively supporting solution-driven initiatives such as this — programmes that move individuals and families from dependency toward empowerment, healing, and lasting stability.
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