The Tribune

By CELESTE NIXON

Tribune Staff Reporter

cnixon@tribunemedia.net

POLICE have warned there are signs that the country’s domestic violence problem is growing.

During a press conference at Police Headquarters yesterday, Supt Stephen Dean said through the Urban Renewal 2.0 programme, officers have been canvassing communities and have noticed a spike in the number of alleged domestic violence complaints – particularly by women.

He said: “We have been inundated with persons coming with disputes and conflicts – I feel good today because of the intervention skills our officers have used and with the assistance members of the of the public including community and church leaders, we were able to resolve some of these conflicts but we see some common trends and we want to put a warning out to persons, particularly those in relationships – there are some indicators.”

According to Mr Dean, some warning signs your partner may display which could indicate a dangerous situation include: unpredictable behaviour, possessive behaviour, isolating you from your family and friends, stalking, lack of control and high temper.

“No one has the right to abuse you, no has the right to take advantage of you, it is a criminal offence if anyone causes harm to you,” he said. “I don’t care if it is your husband, your wife or your dearest friend, it is a criminal offence.”

Encouraging those in abusive situations to come forward to police, Mr Dean said a lack of conflict resolution skills is the underlying issue in most of the situations that escalate to violence.

Inspector Chrislyn Skippings said people who find they are unable deal with conflicts themselves should seek assistance at the Crisis Centre, the Department of Social Services, the Community Counselling and Assessment Unit, BASH, Teen Challenge, the Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre or the Bahamas Christian Council.

She said: “Conflicts are inevitable, conflicts will happen, each one of us we are different, we come from a different background, we see things differently and we will definitely have some debate – we are going to have those situations where we disagree and we are going to exchange some words, when you get to that point and you feel like you are losing control and you can not manage the conflict, we are asking you to stop, think and then act.

“We are asking members of the public to understand it is OK to argue, what is not OK is when you pick up something and injure someone as a result of that argument.”