BY: Latonya Roberts
Journal Staff Writer

The Zonta Club of Nassau recently hosted a webinar to address gender based
violence in The Bahamas shortly after the tragic rape and murder of 12-year-old
Adriel Moxey and 72-year-old Vernencha Butler which took place days apart in
the capital New Porvidence.
The country was left in a state of shock, anger and sorrow, wondering when there
will be greater protections for the nations’ women and children.
President of the Zonta Club of Nassau Michelle Forbes explained the importance
of bringing awareness to violence against women and children. “We will be
learning more about violence, how to have healthy relationships, how to be better
persons and how we can overcome trials together. Zonta International launched the
“No to Violence” Campaign in 2012 and what we are doing now is raising more
awareness through advocacy and education.”
Former Police Officer and now CEO of Elle Clarke Media Group, Lynelle Clark
spoke to victims by sharing her story sexual assault. “After forgiving yourself and
the assailants, speak your truth. I didn’t have anyone that could relate to me when I
was raped. I was a police officer, a detective, I investigated rape and now I found
myself on the other side of that table. Now I was being interviewed, now I was the
victim, no one was able to talk to me because no one had walked through the
complexity of my circumstance.”
She continued, “I promised God that when I was healed from this, I would use my
voice to share my story because I wanted to become for others what I did not have
for myself. Your story isn’t just for you. You can move from trauma to victory.
Reclaim your identity.”
The Webinar also featured several panelists including, Antoinette Brown the
author of “Raped… A Survivor’s Compelling Story” , woman police constable
Patrel Hutcheson, administrator and advisor at the Bahamas Crisis Centre
Cleopatra Christie, counselor at the University of the Bahamas Arnold Martin, and
assistant professor of psychology at the University of the Bahamas Dr. Detra
Bethell.