Domestic violence is considered a heinous crime, not to be tolerated by its victims or accepted by the community.

The Virgin Islands Police Department has long recognized that domestic violence is a universal problem that affects persons from all walks of life. Established procedures are designed to ensure the safety and well-being of all parties involved, whether it is the victim, abuser or the children.

The Police Department takes domestic violence very seriously – and wholeheartedly commits its resources to eradicate domestic violence both within our own ranks and in our community. The VIPD has in place pro-arrest and zero-tolerance policies that uphold every person’s right to safety, including the children who live in the shadows of this violence. Our Domestic Violence Units and Victim Witness Advocates are testament to the VIPD’s commitment to the special handling that domestic violence cases need and that the victims deserve.

Children are often the “forgotten victims” of domestic violence. They are the unwilling witnesses who must depend on the courage of a parent to speak out and be heard on the violence disrupting the family home. Local advocacy groups such as the Men’s Coalition, the Women’s Coalition, the Safety Zone and the Family Resource Center have done a tremendous amount to raise awareness of the need to break the silence on domestic violence issues – a critical challenge because many victims still fear making their suffering public. However, in choosing not to file a report against an abuser, the victim unknowingly perpetuates and gives permission for the cycle of violence to continue.

The risk to the child who witnesses this behavior is great. A report published by the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse describes the increased risks that children who live with domestic violence face – including direct abuse, neglect and the loss of one or both parents. Any of these factors may have a negative impact on the child and affect their safety, stability and well-being.

A child’s behavior can often be a clue as to what is happening in the home. Children may begin to “act out” and become rebellious, run away or skip school. Children may also begin to exhibit aggression, characterized by destruction of property, cruelty to animals, verbal attacks and assaults on others. At the other end of the spectrum, a child may become withdrawn. Living with this trauma may also present itself as physical ailments such as headaches or stomach aches. Over the long term, children who witness domestic violence may have adult depression and trauma symptoms or may have a higher tendency for abuse in their adult relationships. The Virgin Islands Police Department has found that many of the young men arrested throughout the territory for perpetrating violent crimes have been victims of domestic violence.

Abrupt or noticeable changes in a child’s behavior should not be taken lightly. These and other red flags are clear indicators that there is something that is affecting the child, whether it is domestic violence or another equally traumatic situation. In the event that a child tells you that they are living in a violent home, reassure them that you believe them and that it is not their fault. Listen to them. Be an advocate for that child. Get them help.

The often used proverb that “it takes a village to raise a child” still rings true. To expand on that premise, it only takes one person reporting a crime of domestic violence to protect the well being of a child. The silence of those who choose not to report domestic violence crimes hinders the Police Department’s goal of ensuring safety and security for all. Children are one of the most vulnerable factions of our community. To paraphrase the words of a local advocacy group, “Let’s break the silence” and enable all, young and old, to thrive in the safety and security of their homes.