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Silent Witness Marchers Called to Speak Out Loudly!

The 13th Annual Silent Witness March in support of those who have suffered as a result of domestic violence took place on Friday 18th October under the auspices of the Business and Professional Women Club of Grand Cayman. This year, at the behest of, and in association with, the Family Life Centre, the March also honoured and supported those who were the victims of bullying, as part of a national campaign  on that other critical subject now underway. The diverse group of Marchers, of all ages, marched from the Government Administration Building to the parking lot of the Courts Building, going via the Legislative Assembly, thus touching the three arms of Government, the Executive, Judicial and Legislative. And the silence was palpable! Nearly everyone on the sides of the streets and in the cars were extremely silent – it seemed a hush had fallen over central George Town.

However, at the culmination of the March, BPW President Ms. Andrea Williams thanked everyone for the solemn respect shown by their silence for those who had died and otherwise suffered as a result of domestic violence and bullying – but stressed that otherwise we must not and cannot remain silent on these dreadful diseases! Her Excellency the Governor Mrs. Helen Kilpatrick brought greetings and Councillor the Hon. Winston Connolly also spoke on behalf of the Minister of Education, Employment and Gender Affairs (who was absent due to an unscheduled visit to Cayman Brac on official Education business that day, which apparently related to bullying).

The “main” speakers, however, were some brave ladies who had suffered from domestic violence and, in the case of a teenaged speaker, bullying. Their testimonies were painful and no doubt harrowing for them to relive. It truly behoves the United Church to continue to be active in supporting initiatives to make domestic violence, and bullying, completely unacceptable and in helping re-present the caring love of Jesus Christ to the victims, including the children even in those cases where their suffering is not physical. It is therefore good that our Bethesda Counselling Centre and our Congregations are helping in this and that our Cayman Prep and High School continues to seek out ways to stamp out bullying in all its forms, old and new. But there is much more to be done and we need all our members to speak up and speak out and be the loving neighbour that Christ wants to help Him in this. Let’s get more involved!

Posted by: Administrator Wednesday Oct 23, 2013 15:40
Categories: Cayman Prep, Encouragement, Prayer, relief, students | Tags: adversity, children, emotional burdens, encouragement, Girls, helping others, Justice, new life, Prayer, Renewal & Transformation, strengthening, trees, Women