Government Ministers, public officers, local advocacy officials, and community organisations working to combat domestic abuse met earlier this week [Oct. 19] for a roundtable discussion as Bermuda marks Domestic Abuse Awareness Month.
A Government spokesperson said, “The UK’s visiting Minister for the Overseas Territories, the Hon. Uma Kumaran, MP, attended the critical discussion along with Cabinet Ministers, the Hon. Tinee Furbert, JP, MP, Minister of Youth, Social Development and Seniors and the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Sen. the Hon. Kim Wilkerson, JP.
“Participants included representatives of the Centre Against Abuse, Women’s Resource Centre, The Family Centre, SCARS, Coalition for the Protection of Children, One Love Bermuda and Arius Solutions, alongside officials from the Bermuda Police Service, the Department of Public Prosecutions, the Department of Child and Family Services, the Department of Court Service and other Government departments [all pictured].
“The gathering provided an opportunity for Bermuda and UK representatives to exchange perspectives on ending domestic abuse, examine the challenges facing survivors and discuss how Government agencies and community organisations can strengthen their collective response. The discussion centred on Bermuda’s Building Safer Communities Together: A National Domestic Abuse Prevention and Response Strategy 2026 – 2031, including prevention, early intervention, survivor support, perpetrator accountability, legislative reform and improved coordination between agencies.”
Minister Kumaran, whose portfolio encompasses violence against women and girls said, “Listening to the voices of those who have expertise on the work that is being done to tackle violence against women and girls is so important to this Government.”
“Thank you to Ministers, officials, NGOs and civil society community leaders who joined our discussion on supporting women and girls in Bermuda. Ending violence against women and girls is a priority for the United Kingdom, and partnerships like these help build safer, more resilient communities in the United Kingdom, Bermuda and globally.” Shared collaboration is vital in the global fight to end violence against women and girls.”
A Government spokesperson added, “In her remarks, Minister Furbert reinforced the Government’s commitment to partnering with multiple agencies that support survivors.”
Minister Furbert said, “We recognise the value of partnerships such as MARAC, the Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference, which safeguards victims at high risk of serious harm from domestic abuse.
“The Sexual Assault Response Team, or SART, is also essential as a community-based team coordinating support for survivors of sexual assault. These collaborative mechanisms strengthen communication, identify risks, and ensure survivors receive appropriate protection and support.
“Through the National Domestic Abuse Strategy, sustained investment, and collective advocacy, we can build a Bermuda where survivors are heard, protected, and supported, and where safety, dignity, and accountability are shared responsibilities.”
A Government spokesperson added, “Minister Wilkerson welcomed the opportunity to engage with the UK Minister, emphasising the importance of translating policy into meaningful action whilst working collaboratively within government and across non-governmental stakeholders.”
“We must now translate the Strategic Plan into measurable action, including legislative reform, stronger support systems and greater accountability,” Minister Wilkerson stated.
“Effective reform requires us to listen to survivors, frontline professionals, advocates, service providers and the wider community. Each has an important role in helping us understand where our systems are working, where the gaps remain, and what meaningful change must look like.”
A Government spokesperson added, “The discussion also examined ongoing work to improve access to justice, strengthen risk assessment procedures, expand support services and advance legislative proposals, including a proposed Domestic Abuse Act. The roundtable highlighted the importance of continued collaboration between Government, frontline agencies and community partners, as well as opportunities to draw on UK experience in strengthening Bermuda’s domestic abuse prevention and response efforts.”
