The Ministry of Health, Wellness, Human Services and Gender Relations, with funding from UNICEF has initiated a program called “Breaking the Silence,” a campaign to end sexual violence and protect the human rights of girls, boys, women and men, who are victims of sexual violence.
According to Elizabeth Lewis, Director of Human Services, a major factor in the perpetuation of sexual violence is that individuals fail to speak out.
“Research has shown that we normally do not speak out against such kinds of violence, so it is our aim at the Ministry to get people to recognize the need to speak out because when we don’t, we are endorsing this kind of behaviour.”
Ms. Lewis added that data on sexual abuse in Saint Lucia was disturbing.
“There has been an increase in reports of sexual violence, particularly against our young girls,” she said, “and that is a cause for concern because we recognize the implications it can have for them and the wider society.”
Her comments were made at a panel discussion, Tuesday, which formed part of worldwide activities to support an end to sexual violence in conflict.
The discussion was hosted at the Government Information Service (GIS) studios with an audience of students, teachers and media personnel, and was relayed live to delegates at the “Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict" in London.