Published 16 March 2018
Buckie Got It, St. Kitts and Nevis News Source
Gov’t Pays Funeral Costs For Slain Sisters
St. Kitts and Nevis (WINN): The government has confirmed that it will bear the cost of the funerals for slain sisters Jemelia and Naomi Finch, scheduled for Friday.
19-year-old Naomi and 20-year-old mother and Defense Force soldier Jemelia of Keys Village were the allegedly chopped to death by Naomi’s boyfriend 34-year-old Orvis Pogson on March 1st.
At a press conference on Wednesday, Prime Minister Dr. Timothy Harris revealed the government’s decision to assist the family of the murdered young women.
“We mourn the loss of the two sisters from Keys Village, Jemelia and Naomi Finch. I have personally met with their mother Desiree Finch and prayed with and for her and her relatives. I want to appeal to all to eschew violence and to show greater compassion to and tolerance for one another. My government has offered tangible support to the family of the victims. The state through the ministries of National Security and Gender Affairs will bear the cost of the funeral expenses for the two sisters. Additionally, we have been providing counselling support to the family members,” said the Prime Minister.
He decried any form of violence, especially against women and children.
“While there are many good things happening such as the breaking of the glass ceiling by our women, we are dismayed by the cruel hand of violence exercised against our womenfolk. To be clear the government condemns violence in all its forms, but we maintain that violence against women and children is most reprehensible and egregious,” said Dr Harris
Dr. Harris stated that his administration intends to amend the Domestic Violence Act and bring the dormant piece of legislation into effect.
“On a related note, I wish to announce that the cabinet is presently reviewing the amendments to the draft domestic and sexual violence and response protocol. Which has been the subject of several years consultations among key stakeholders. This document has again been updated with support from the legal department and the Magistracy to include among other matters privacy of victims of violence when making official statements to the police and in court. When approved the protocol will serve as the functional guide to key personnel in the police, out healthcare workers, and the staff of the department of gender affairs who must work as a team to respond to victims of domestic and sexual violence, and in the process, provide places of safety for victims and their families. Following cabinet’s approval of the draft protocol, the next step is the passage of the domestic violence act. Our parliamentary records indicate that although the act that had three readings in parliament it was never gazetted and therefore could not be implemented. Regulations would have to be drafted to give effect to the protocol as per section 48 of the said act,” said Dr Harris.
