Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

#TurksandCaicosIslands, October 10, 2023 – Domestic violence in the Turks and Caicos islands has surged rapidly this year with almost triple the reports fielded in 2022. The concerning statistics were presented by the Department of Gender Affairs as part of their observance of October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. 

“Each year, numerous women and men in the Turks and Caicos experience some form of domestic abuse. To illustrate, in 2020, we received nine (9) reports; in 2021, that number surged to 32 reports; in 2022, it decreased to seventeen (17). Regrettably, in 2023, our department has already received nearly fifty (50) reports, indicating a concerning upward trend based on reported cases,” an October 3 press release indicated.

We have reached out to the Department to find out what they believe has contributed to the increase. 

The Department says it is highlighting the ‘persistent domestic violence within the Turks and Caicos Islands’ as the country joins the international community in marking the solemn observance. 

The 2023 theme for the TCI is Everyone Knows Someone as the Department of Gender Affairs hopes it will “shed light on the pervasive nature of domestic violence and emphasizes that its manifestations go beyond physical harm.”

A similar idea has taken root on social media.

Mere days into the month ‘What October means to Me’ and other videos are already trending across TikTok as large influencers and women with small followings share their stories of survival and encourage other women to do the same. 

Locally the Department in the TCI will be carrying out educational campaigns across all islands and is asking that residents show support by educating themselves and wearing purple throughout the month especially on ‘purple Fridays’.