The Women’s organisation, Hats and Heels, which created SAFE as a rescue outlet for domestic abuse victims in Anguilla, on Wednesday, March 10th, launched the SAFE (Stop Abuse For Everyone) hotline for psychosocial support. The hotline was launched in the Leon’s Room at the Malliohanna Hotel, with the noteworthy collaboration of Anguilla’s two telecommunications competitors, FLOW and DIGICEL.
Moderating the launch was Mrs. Angelina Carty, Senior Social Worker in the Department of Social Development. Mrs. Jade Reymond-Richardson and Ms. Vyonne Brooks, co-founders of Hats and Heels, in 2016, established SAFE in 2019 to cater to the empowerment of women in the Anguilla community, and to advocate for the elimination of domestic violence.
Seated: Mrs Jade Reymond-Richardson & Ms Vyonne Brooks
In launching the hotline on Wednesday, Mrs. Reymond-Richardson addressed a modest audience comprising mainly women: “Please permit me to introduce to you the Hats and Heels organisation,” she said. “The founders, Ms. Vyonne Brooks and yours truly, Mrs. Jade Reymond-Richardson, are two women with one goal — to empower women.
“Along this journey of the past five years, we realise that it takes focused action to accomplish something significant. In a world where a person moves from an idea to the execution of that idea faster than ever, there is an unrealistic expectation of success. We set off to launch a domestic violence hotline for women in the community who need access to a safe haven…We have quickly realised, however, that just as it takes a mere trip to the store to purchase a guitar, it takes years to practice and master the skill of playing it, so we too must take time to master the purpose and mission of SAFE.
“When Vyonne and I started our Hats and Heels fund-raising initiative, we were focused on being able to implement and support a hotline that would be dedicated to supporting women in the community who would become victims of domestic violence, gender-based violence and the like. Today, through the implementation of SAFE’s Board, we can look back and see that we have come a long way.
“As the parent organisation, Hats and Heels is committed to continue providing SAFE with the financial support needed to ensure that its programme will always exist in the community for the purpose of supporting and empowering women. To this end, today Hats and Heels is donating the sum of EC$10,000 as our initial contribution to the work of SAFE.”
Mrs. Reymond-Richardson then went on to thank many persons and entities who voluntarily contributed of their time and expertise to the organization: To the Department of Social Development and the Gender Affairs Department, and to such individuals as PS Dr. Bonnie Richardson-Lake, Mrs. Hyacinth Bradley, Dr. Ronya Foy-Connor, and Ms. Lauren Gumbs, I would like to express our thanks for your unwavering support.”
She also voiced her appreciation for the Board of SAFE, saying: “I wish to thank the Board of Directors of SAFE — volunteers who share our vision. These include Charlene Roach, Angelina Muhammed, Twyla Bradshaw, Clive Richardson, and our new President, Gleneva Hodge. Vyonne and I thank you all for your dedication, support and your commitment to SAFE. We do appreciate you.”
Seeing that the hotline would be dependent on an efficient telephone service from both telecom providers, Mrs. Reymond-Richardson recognised the role played by both companies: “To our telecommunication partners, FLOW and DIGICEL, you are instrumental in the long-term success of our hotline. We realise that we could never have provided this platform without your support, and we heartily thank you.”
Also speaking at the event was the Honourable Minister of Social Development, Ms. Dee-Ann Kentish-Rogers. She observed: “I want to congratulate Jade and Vyonne for seeing the launch of the SAFE hotline come to fruition. We cannot underestimate how momentous this occasion is. Anguilla will now have a free psychosocial support hotline, particularly for women who are the victims of domestic violence…It is so important for us to put this hotline in place.
“Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020 to current, the Royal Anguilla Police Force recorded an increase of 125% in domestic violence cases. Since the shutdown in 2020, for that year alone, domestic violence cases have increased by 88%. Those are some stunning figures, which make it all the more important that we have this safe hotline available for those persons who would need psychosocial support.”
The incoming President of SAFE, Ms. Gleneva Hodge, said as part of h er address: “While many are aware of the hardships that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused, there were some moments of sheer ingenuity because of it. This SAFE hotline is one such example. What we initially envisioned to be a domestic violence hotline has now evolved into a psychosocial hotline that is meant to provide support to all persons throughout our communities who face any domestic crisis for which support is needed.”
“Our first responders will be available 24 hours a day to provide that support,” the President stated. “I wish to say thank you to everyone for being here today. And I look forward to working with all of you to ensure that we not only have a successful [hotline] but a hotline and support services that are sustainable in the long term.”
Also speaking at the launch were: FLOW’s Country Manager, Desron Bynoe; DIGICEL’s Senior Marketing Director, Roxanne Webster; and the Director of Anguilla Red Cross, Latoya Hobbs-Nurse. They all commended the vision and work of Jade and Vyonne, and applauded the launch of the SAFE hotline.
The Vote of thanks was given by Twyla Bradshaw.
The number for the SAFE hotline is 772–7233 or 772–SAFE.
– Staff Reporter, James R. Harrigan
