Senator Jeff Baron yesterday called for the public to recognise the significance of domestic violence in the community as Domestic Violence Awareness Month nears its end.

“When we consider the myriad of challenges facing our community, many remain ignorant of the daily struggle that impacts the lives of so many of our women and families in the form of domestic violence,” Sen Baron said. “This is violence which affects our families, our friends, our colleagues and our congregation members.”

He praised the work of the Centre Against Abuse over the past three decades, saying it is important that the community support the charity.

“It is only through education and awareness that we can engage and empower our entire community as part of the formula towards the prevention of such abuses,” he said.

“I challenge all of Bermuda to support these organisations through funding and volunteering, and I challenge those who already are involved to dig deeper and invest even more. We must remain vigilant and unwavering in our support of and protection for those daily struggling in a domestic violence relationship.”

Executive director of the Centre Against Abuse, Laurie Shiell, said she welcomed the Senator’s support.

“Domestic violence, while a taboo subject, impacts large numbers of men, women and children right here, on our shores, every day,” she said.

“The 2011 Government Health Survey reported that one in three women on our island are affected by domestic violence. This number is really staggering — in fact, there is a greater chance that a woman will be affected by domestic violence than being diagnosed with cancer.

“No longer can we keep this subject taboo, because it is silence that empowers the abuser.”