From Bahama Islands Info

NASSAU, Bahamas — RBC staff recently joined in the fight to break the silence of domestic violence by partnering with The Bahamas Crisis Centre.

Volunteers from throughout the island participated in the Crisis Centre Annual Silent Witness Exhibition. The Annual Exhibition seeks to raise awareness about the issues of domestic violence and its impact on victims.

Held at the Mall at Marathon, the exhibition brought the stark reality of domestic violence to the public. The exhibition featured dramatic depictions of the bondage and fear that victims face. RBC volunteers participated as actors, distributed pamphlets and provided information about the Crisis Centre services and the Centre’s 24 hour hotline.

The Bahamas Crisis Centre, formerly known as The Women’s Crisis Centre opened in 1982. Since then the Centre has worked tirelessly to respond to the needs of those suffering from sexual, physical and psychological abuse. The Crisis Centre offers free counseling and services for men, women and children experiencing any form of abuse.

The Crisis Centre has been steadfast as an advocate against violence and in promoting social change in The Bahamas.

RBC sponsors employee volunteer programs to reflect and support the critical role its employees play in community building. In commemoration of Volunteer Week, which is celebrated each year around the globe, RBC established its Day of Service Grant programme.

The RBC Day of Service Grant supports and recognizes employees who respond to a community need.

“RBC volunteers were honoured to become a part of the movement to help stop domestic violence in The Bahamas”, said Sandra E. Mackey, Administrative Officer, RBC Loans Collection Centre. Ms. Mackey explained: – “Domestic violence is not a family problem, but a societal one. The Crisis Centre Annual Silent Witness Exhibition gave the public an opportunity to learn more about the scale of the domestic violence problem in The Bahamas and the role we all play in addressing this issue.” She added: “An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.”

“RBC is committed to the health and well-being of the communities in which we live and work, said Mr. Nathaniel Beneby, Managing Director, RBC in The Bahamas, Cayman and Turks & Caicos Islands. He continued: – “Domestic violence affects everyone, particularly in a small community such as ours. Domestic violence can have an impact on the workplace, through absenteeism, loss of productivity and poor morale. But the real victims are the families impacted by the problem. RBC is committed to the fight against violence, domestic and otherwise, which threatens the fabric of our communities.”

For more information about The Bahamas Crisis Centre visit http://www.bahamascrisiscentre.org/. The Crisis Centre 24 Hour Hotline is 328-0922.

Photo 1: RBC employee Sandra Mackey, volunteers to display the physical scars of domestic violence at the Annual Silent Witness Exhibition hosted by the Bahamas Crisis Centre at the Marathon Mall.

Photo 2: GThe RBC team along with Dr. Sandra Dean-Patterson, Director, The Bahamas Crisis Centre and members of The Bahamas Crisis Centre.

Photo 3: RBC volunteers express the thoughts of victims of domestic violence.

Photo 4: The RBC volunteer team.

(Photos courtesy of RBC for Barefoot Marketing)

For more on this story go to: http://bahamaislandsinfo.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=18182:rbc-employees-help-raise-awareness-about-domestic-violence-&catid=61:nassau-and-paradise-island-news&Itemid=164