The Bahamas Crisis Centre yesterday rejected a $1,000 cash donation from Tall Pines Member of Parliament Leslie Miller, offered to the organisation as an apology for offensive remarks he made recently about domestic abuse.

Mr. Miller announced in the House of Assembly last Thursday that he made the donation to help in the fight against domestic violence.

“This is my cheque on behalf of the Bahamian women who have been hurt or injured by a Bahamian man, which should never take place,” the Tall Pines MP told reporters last week.

However, in statement released the Crisis Centre noted that it was not in a positon to accept Mr. Miller’s donation.

“We see this as a teachable moment for our nation. So often when a victim is battered, this explosion is followed by a “honeymoon period” which is to shower the victim with gifts, money, jewellery, flowers and other niceties,” said Crisis Centre Director Dr Sandra Dean-Patterson.

The statement continued, “Although the Crisis Centre is a non-profit organisation, which depends on donations from the public, the acceptance of this donation at this time would be contrary to the principles that guide our work on behalf of the victims of domestic violence.”

Mr. Miller set off a firestorm of controversy for his off coloured remarks of using physical violence against a woman as a means of demonstrating love.

Free National Movement (FNM) Deputy Leader Loretta Butler-Turner slammed the MP for making this joke and the Crisis Centre eventually demanded an apology from Mr. Miller.

In addition to making the donation, Mr. Miller also issued an apology in the House of Assembly.

He also appointed himself the Parliamentary spokesman for domestic violence.