Social Services Minister promises a more proactive approach to Domestic Violence
THE message of CADVA (Caribbean American Domestic Violence Awareness) is being taken to communities countrywide by the rapidly expanding network of volunteers who are committed to changing the social landscape, initially in the USA and the Caribbean, whereby the highly-prevalent scourge of domestic violence will eventually be significantly reduced, if not eradicated altogether. The stated mission of the organisation is to provide a safe environment where individuals and communities can converge, listen, share, and receive information to help combat domestic violence; and help to combat domestic violence, and educate those experiencing abuse.
Brainchild of Sukree Boodram, a woman who broke societal norms to walk away from her abuser and author a biographic entitled “Breakout”, CADVA has already assumed a forceful identity in Guyana.  The organisation has already impacted tremendously on the grassroots, where the voices of the abused are very silent, which was underscored during a series of interactive sessions in Berbice last week.
However, Dianne Madray, an executive of the organisation, has initiated an innovative concept – creating stunning visuals of various stories of domestic violence.
Through this medium, the organisation continues to promote its message: ‘Break the Silence and Say No to Violence’.
Unveiled in Berbice and continued in a one-day art exhibition at the Pegasus Hotel in Kingston, Georgetown last Tuesday, a series of blood-curdling paintings put faces to the stories and awed the stream of visitors.  The visualizations were graphic and the agony of the victims was raw and bleeding through the canvas of the artist.
The stark portrayals of pain and battery resonated in the soul and impacted the mind with an immediacy that wrested empathy and heartfelt sympathy for the victims.  Because instances of domestic abuse have escalated tremendously, Guyanese have become blasé to each report of domestic abuse – even those instances leading to murder.
This amazing concept of the brilliant, sensitive, and highly creative Diane Madray has individualized the faces of abuse.

After much effort, she conscripted contemporary Guyanese artist Carl Anderson, whose initial skepticism and reluctance was transformed to absolute commitment, and he is now a passionate member of the CADVA team.
This unique art exhibition was unveiled on March 5, at the University of Guyana (UG) Berbice Campus at Tain, Corentyne in Berbice, under the theme ‘Reflections: The Faces of Domestic Violence’, and was unveiled in the ‘Ancient County’ of Berbice as a prelude to a series of highly successful interactive workshops held under the CADVA theme ‘Break Your Silence and Become a Survivor – Understanding Abuse and Moving Beyond’.
CADVA is partnering with other like-minded persons and organizations to solidify efforts, as it recognizes that there are many voices advocating for one cause.
The conceptualization of each painting is purely that of livewire humanist Dianne Madray, who has bonded wonderfully with the artist to capture the faces behind the stories, some of which are the scourge of child abuse – a scourge not extraneous to domestic abuse, especially when incest is also factored into the equation.
Last Tuesday, Human Services and Social Security Minister Jennifer Webster joined the team at the Pegasus Hotel where, after appreciatively viewing the paintings, she entered into confab with the CADVA executives to discuss future collaborative initiatives.
Listening to Minister Webster, one cannot help but conclude that she would be a proactive minister who would brook no nonsense in executing her mandated duties, and implementing systems to impact on the social grassroots landscape where they will matter most.
She is cognizant of the fact that amendments to already existing laws are imperative to facilitating a holistic approach in addressing most of the social ills in Guyana.  She has indicated her intention to bow to no sacred cow, where the laws are being flouted to the detriment of the departments that fall within her portfolio; and she is determined that her staff would be utilized in the most effective ways, so that victims cannot fall through the cracks of the justice system.
In her feature address at the Pegasus, Sukree Boodram said that CADVA is initially focusing on the U.S. and Caribbean, where large pockets of cultural demographics exist in communities, and where domestic violence is not openly discussed nor is help readily available; and, where available, is not easily accessible.
The team has already left for the USA, where the paintings will be exhibited at various locations before being mounted for permanent display at a central location.

The following is a posting by F Ishmail on  CADVA (Caribbean American Domestic Violence Awareness) website:

Sometimes, if a mother has been abused a son asks, “Why did she stay? She had me; was I not enough? Why she need him?” because he can never understand why the mother chooses to stay with his father and be abused…

Later in life, he builds this huge bridge and wonders if anyone can see through it. He blamed her for staying… But no one ever asked the abused mother how she felt. He never voiced his feelings to his mother; he never asked her, “Mom, let’s leave.” I am okay with this. Neither is to blame, but they needed each other for strength… She never talked to her child, too, but this is how we are. We do not communicate with our children, so the older generation is not aware on how to communicate with theirs…

Many mothers leave, but later the children say to the mother, “I never asked to be born”, or things like, “Well, you married him”, if the mother says anything…

No one asked her; and if she stays she is wrong, and if she leaves, later in the child’s life there are dire consequences. Mothers have many choices. It is never okay to stay, it’s always in best interest to leave, change the lock on your door if you have to.