In an effort to raise awareness and help eradicate violence against women, the U.S. Embassy’s International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Section invited Detective Holly Tucker, a 15-year veteran of the Broward Sheriff’s Office in South Florida assigned to the Special Victims Unit/Criminal Investigations Division to conduct two days of training focused on the prevention of domestic violence.
Detective Tucker met with law enforcement officers, government representatives, and local NGOs in Nassau and Freeport December 2-3 to address challenges faced by Bahamian institutions and individuals committed to the elimination of domestic violence. The training opportunity coincided with the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence, an international campaign from November 25, the International Day of Elimination of Violence against Women, to December 10, International Human Rights Day.
On Monday, December 2, Detective Tucker conducted a presentation on domestic violence to officers of the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) at Police Headquarters in Nassau. The event was attended by Commissioner Ellison Greenslade, members of the RBPF Executive Management Team, a wide range of officers, and civilian staff members of the RBPF. Detective Tucker gave similar presentations to campus security officers from the Ministry of Education.
On December 3, Detective Tucker gave presentations in Freeport which included senior RBPF officers. The Broward Sherriff’s Office representative also addressed teen dating violence issues with NGOs and church groups working with Bahamian youth, and engaged teens in the Providing Access To Continued Education (PACE) and Genesis Academy/ Success Ultimate Reassures Each One (SURE) programs. PACE provides education and assistance to teenage mothers during their pregnancy while SURE works with teenage boys that have been removed from high school.
Over the last year, the U.S. Embassy has partnered with the Ministry of Social Services’ Bureau of Women’s Affairs, the Crisis Centre, and the Zonta Club of Nassau to bring focused awareness to the impact of domestic violence on society and attention to the dangers of gender-based violence in The Bahamas. Preventing and responding to violence against women through the concerted efforts of civil society, local governments, and the international community is a cornerstone of President Obama’s commitment to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment.
US Embassy, Nassau
Captions (in order from top to bottom):
Detective Holly Tucker and Myra M. McPhee, Education and Cultural Specialist at the U.S. Embassy (3rd person from the left in red, black, white dress) pose with representatives from NGOs at the American Corner in the Harry C. Moore Library and Information Center at the College of The Bahamas.
Detective Holly Tucker leads a discussion with NGOs at the American Corner in the Harry C. Moore Library and Information Center at the College of The Bahamas.
Detective Holly Tucker (center of 2nd row in purple dress) and Kristin Gilmore, Director of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Section at the U.S. Embassy (2nd person from the right in second row) pose with campus security officers from the Ministry of Education at the U.S. Embassy.
