Bermudian Charities Support Judge's Call for Stronger Domestic Abuse Penalties

The Women's Resource Centre and the Centre Against Abuse have endorsed a judge's call to strengthen penalties for domestic abuse perpetrators in Bermuda. This includes increasing maximum sentences for assault and the introduction of a Domestic Abuse Act.

Juanae Crockwell, Executive Director of the Women's Resource Centre, emphasized that while higher sentences alone may not reduce the occurrence of domestic abuse, they could significantly impact survivors' experiences and deter reoffenders. "While higher sentences in isolation will not decrease the occurrence of domestic abuse, it will make a huge impact on the experience of survivors and hopefully serve as a measurable deterrent for abusers inclined to reoffend," she said.

Laurie Shiell, Executive Director of the Centre Against Abuse, highlighted the limitations of the current Domestic Violence (Protection Orders) Act 1997, which only provides protection orders for up to 12 months. "Right now we have the Domestic Violence (Protection Orders) Act 1997, which is limited to giving protection orders, and that needs to be improved in that it only speaks to protection orders for up to a maximum of 12 months," Shiell stated.

Strengthening penalties for domestic abuse perpetrators is essential for protecting victims and deterring future abuse. If left unchecked, domestic violence can have devastating consequences, including loss of life, and perpetuate a cycle of abuse that affects entire communities.

Puisne Judge Juan Wolffe has urged legislators to reassess sentencing tariffs for common assault cases linked to domestic violence. *"Until such legislative changes are made then perpetrators of domestic violence will continue to victimise with impunity,"* he remarked.

The charities believe that increasing maximum sentences for assault in proven cases of domestic violence could help break the cycle of abuse. Domestic abuse rarely occurs in isolation, with victims often experiencing multiple instances of abuse before successfully leaving the relationship.

The Centre Against Abuse advocates for the introduction of a Domestic Abuse Act, which would serve as comprehensive legislation to better manage these cases. The current Criminal Code Act, penned in 1907, does not fully consider the impact of modern technology on abuse.

The push for stronger penalties comes in the aftermath of high-profile domestic violence cases in Bermuda, including the conviction of Kamal Worrell for the murder of Chavelle Dillon-Burgess. The Centre Against Abuse has seen a significant increase in requests for assistance, potentially linked to heightened awareness following the Worrell trial.

As Bermuda struggles with the prevalence of domestic violence, the call for legislative changes aims to provide better protection for victims and ensure that perpetrators face appropriate consequences.

Key Takeaways

• Charities endorse judge's call for stronger penalties for domestic abuse perpetrators in Bermuda.
• Higher sentences could impact survivors' experiences and deter reoffenders.
• Current Domestic Violence Act limitations include 12-month protection orders.
• Strengthening penalties essential to protect victims and deter future abuse.
• Centre Against Abuse advocates for introduction of comprehensive Domestic Abuse Act.