During the week, participants worked on topics such as the future ratification and implementation of the Istanbul Convention, an international treaty that strengthens measures to prevent and address violence against women and domestic violence. Discussions also covered temporary barring orders, inter-island cooperation for victim support, and the early detection of risk factors related to gender-based violence. In addition, participants worked on agreements for a common system to improve data collection across all islands.
Participants visited various organisations in Statia and Sint Maarten, including Women’s Shelters, Victim Support Services and the Court of Guardianship, to learn more about local initiatives. There was also a special exchange between the No Mas No More (NMNM) Working Group and the Multidisciplinary Consultation (MDO) of Statia, providing valuable insight into how local organisations collaborate and coordinate cases.
For Carmen Grefte (NMNM Chair) and Ereina Hunt-Gorden (Statia representative), the conference highlighted the value of bringing professionals together to create a Kingdom-wide approach to addressing domestic violence and child abuse.
No Mas No More (NMNM) is a Kingdom working group that promotes cooperation between the six Caribbean islands and the Netherlands to prevent and address domestic violence and child abuse.
