Reprinted from Caribbean Net News
caribbeannetnews.com
ST CROIX, USVI: In an attempt to focus attention on domestic violence crimes in the US Virgin Islands, VIPD Commissioner Elton Lewis announced that the names and photos of persons arrested on domestic violence charges will be sent to the media.
Police Commissioner Elton Lewis said in a press release this week, domestic violence reports will be gathered daily and sent to the media. He said the information would contain the "names, location and photographs of all persons arrested for domestic violence regardless of position, employment, race, nationality, male or female."
"It is my desire… to assist in changing the notion that domestic violence is acceptable in the Virgin Islands," Lewis said. "We must do everything possible to change the mindset of our young men and women to get them to understand what they may have seen growing up in the home as it relates to violence was wrong."
VIPD brass hopes the new strategy will increase awareness in the community to the frequency and severity of the crimes. The department hopes releasing the names of the arrested persons will spur the community to intervene and break the cycle of family abuse.
The VIPD receives an average of 55,000 calls for service a year in the Virgin Islands. One-third of those are domestic violence incidences. Approximately 500 restraining orders, initiated by men and women, are recorded each year. Over the last 20 years in the territory, 37 people - two men, two babies and 33 women - have died from domestic violence.
Lewis said domestic violence contributes to the breakdown of the family structure
"The home is a place of love, nurturing, and instilling good moral values in children, not fighting ring," Lewis said. Lewis appealed to the community to help spread the message that violence is not the way to resolve differences.
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