OPERATION ‘Build-Board’, a programme set up to create a united front against social issues like domestic violence and child abuse, was launched at the coronation ceremony of the new Miss World Guyana 2013, Ms Ruqayyah Boyer, at the Pegasus Hotel in Georgetown last Friday.

The organisations behind this project are the Caribbean American Domestic Violence Awareness (CADVA), Irene Madray’s Recreational Arts and Resources Center (IMRARC), and the Miss World Guyana organisation. Operation Build-Board represents building unity through interactive learning and development in building prevention over borders, and accepting and respecting differences.
Ms Boyer is expected to erect Operation Build-Board’s first board in Linden, but Build-Board will also hit the shores of the twin-island Republic of Trinidad & Tobago in August in an effort to combat incidences of domestic violence which, according to reports in the Trinidad media, are rapidly escalating.
A CADVA statement had said that that non-governmental organisation (NGO) will carry its anti-violence campaign to Trinidad and Tobago from August 6 to August 12. The campaign will go under the theme “Unite to Inspire: Education Creates Acceptance” as the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago is prepared for Build-Board.
And to celebrate the International Youth Day, the three organisations will unite with Trinidad’s YOUTH IN [a Caribbean Network for Youth Development] in its movement to end violence, the statement announced.
The events of the campaign are a collaborative effort by CADVA; IMRARC; Miss World Guyana 2013; the US Embassy in Port-of-Spain; the Student Support Services of the Ministry of Education in Chaguanas, Pipiol, Angels in Cantaaro Village, Santa Cruz; Rotary Club of Point-a-Pierre; Rotary District 7030, and YOUTHS IN. The release said the events are geared to tackle sexual violence and abuse — the perspective towards women’s sexuality that is stained by a cultural mindset and bullying.
Over the last few years, there have been in Guyana many reported cases of violence against women, and sometimes the brutal killing of women, CADVA Guyana Representative Tiffiney Jackson stated; but she asserted that domestic violence has not escalated. “Domestic violence is an epidemic that exists both here and internationally. The difference is that here it is swept under the rug; but through awareness, people are speaking out. It may seem as if domestic violence has escalated, but this, to my knowledge, is not so. It’s just that the cases are being brought more to the public’s awareness rather than it of itself being escalated,” Ms Jackson said.
However, she posited that the killing of women has increased, but with the assistance of the government and other NGOs, complete eradication is possible.
She said that CADVA supports any country’s judicial system to apply justice, in particular to victims of abuse. “In any incident that has shown domestic violence, we would like to see the perpetrators brought to justice,” she said. “But victims need to identify that they are victims, because one cannot seek help, or people can’t help them, if they don’t first acknowledge that they are victims,” she asserted.
Research has shown that most perpetrators have lived in abusive situations, and some of them were victims as children, she said. Thus there is a cycle of victims metamorphosing into abusers. Jackson added that CADVA seeks to alter the mindset of the younger generation so that that cycle can be broken.
She said that men need to break the silence if they are being abused. “Persons need to recognise that men are also affected by abuse, but men need to acknowledge that they are (affected) and not be ashamed,” she pointed out, adding that they need to be “macho” and speak out.
CADVA was initiated by a victim who found a voice to speak out and become a survivor, and who has used the experience to help others become survivors and become empowered to move beyond that stage in their lives.
Currently, CADVA does not have a shelter for victims, but it has developed a relationship with Help and Shelter in order to assist the victims out of the abusive environment. Jackson said that CADVA provides counselling sessions for victims, and has started an education domestic violence drive to fight the contagion.
“To effectively address these colossal issues, we must stand together, ready to recommit and take action in a holistic way,” the foundation’s programme coordinator, Imarah Radix, said. She added that she was eager to see the “sustainable social good” that would be achieved through collaboration with other NGOs.