Shelter for Battered Women looks to expand role

The shelter currentlty caters for up to 26 persons and the women are encouraged to support each other in a communal style of living .

It also accepts boys up to ten years of age .

Chairman of the shelter, Anthony Inglefield, said the shelter accepts survivors of domestic violence from all over the country who are referred through 800- SAVE; the various embassies; social workers; police stations and the Children’s Authority. He said the women and girls are of different ages and the shelter tries to keep familites together. In adition to battered women, it also houses abused and abandoned children and have sometimes provided shelter for victims of human trafficking. Inglefield said the length of stay at the shelter varies depends on the nature of the cases. According to Inglefield, “The counselling provide guides how we manage their care and by extension, their stay. We’ve had women stay for days to as much as a year. Unfortunately too, so many of them are financially vulnerable, they do not have anywhere to go. What we don’t want to happen is they go back into the abusive situation they escaped from. Our aim is to provide the support they need to leave feeling empowered and in control of their lives.” The public will get an opportunity to contribute to the ongoing work of the shelter on June 30 when it holds its annual Tea Fundraiser hosted by Yvonne Webber, the wife of the Australian High Commissioner at their residence in Moka, Maraval .

A highlight of the fundraiser will be a silent art auction of the works of several well-known local artists including Donald ‘Jackie’ Hinkson; Abigail Sabeeney, Peter Sheppard, Trevor Rostant and Beverley Fitzwilliam-Harries .

Explaining her passion for the project, Webber said “Domestic violence is something that I feel strongly about and we should do whatever we can to eradicate it from society and help survivors of domestic violence.” bmobile is supporting the work of the shelter and Graeme Suite, its Senior Manager Brand, Public Relations and External Affairs said the company is excited to support the work of organisations like the shelter which work to eliminate abuse and promote equality, especially among the vulnerable in the society. “We need to be always willing to work towards eliminating abuse and reverse its effects on women and children. It is necessary and important for the public to also partner in this special event to be a part of the community of change.”