Vincentian non-profit Leave Out Violence in SVG (LOVNSVG) is again championing the cause of domestic abuse victims across the Diaspora.
A help line campaign is just one of their latest outreach initiatives.
A series of flyers are being promoted across social media platforms and they are generating the anticipated calls. “During COVID-19 we know a lot of women are experiencing domestic violence and children are facing child abuse, the numbers have gone up tremendously worldwide,” Founder and President Nailah John told us.
So far the charity the anti-violence charity has been able to intervene in more than several cases providing, “counseling, access to pro bono lawyers and the necessary information to get clients get to the next step.”
The soon to be 9 year-old NGO is also enhancing capacity to address human trafficking issues here. “Last week we engaged in a human trafficking meeting with other non-profits across the Caribbean region and we’re hoping to have another meeting shortly in regards to our way forward,” John also said. She was cognizant that many persons are still very much unaware of the attendant concerns. “It’s an issue that we feel is important to bring to the forefront so people could better understand what human trafficking is and the necessary measures one must take to help fight against it.”
One of the other things LOVNSVG is aiming to do, “in the coming week is to put the petition for the sex offenders registry back out onto all social media platforms. A lot of people are home now and may be able to see it through those avenues and we plan to send those petitions to the government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines as soon as COVID has settled down a bit.”
So far they have amassed just over 4000 of the 6000 signatures they’d like to submit in their bid to agitate the Dr. Gonsalves-led administration to establish the legal framework which would allow government authorities to keep track sex offenders activities, including those who have completed their criminal sentences, while providing ancillary services like rehabilitative counseling etc.
[email protected]