In a powerful address marking the launch of the Royal Bahamas Police Force’s new Domestic Violence Unit, Prime Minister Philip Davis pledged a renewed national commitment to support survivors and transform how the country responds to abuse.
“Today, we take a step forward—not a fix, not a finish line, but a real step—in saying to the people who are hurting: we’re here, and we’re doing something about it,” Prime Minister Davis said at the unit’s opening ceremony.
The new unit, staffed by specially trained officers, is designed to offer a more empathetic and coordinated response to domestic abuse cases. Officers will work alongside social workers, shelters, and other partners to ensure survivors aren’t retraumatized by having to repeat their stories and navigate the system alone.
“This unit wasn’t created for statistics or for press releases. It was created for that woman who has packed and unpacked her bag a dozen times, trying to find the right moment to leave,” said Davis. “It was created for the child who flinches at raised voices, because they’ve learned what comes next.”
The Prime Minister emphasized that while the unit is a major step, it is part of a broader national strategy. That strategy includes legislative reform, more resources for shelters and safe housing, and prevention-focused education initiatives.
“This is a country where your safety matters, your voice matters, and your pain will no longer be ignored,” Davis said, addressing survivors directly. “You are not invisible. And you are not alone.”
The Prime Minister also acknowledged the long-standing work of advocates and organisations who have supported victims—often without proper recognition or funding. He gave special thanks to First Lady Anne Marie Davis, whose advocacy played a pivotal role in the creation of the unit.
“To the officers who will staff this Unit: you carry the hopes of many,” Davis said. “Treat [survivors] with care. Serve with pride. And know that you are doing something profoundly important.”
Framing the issue as a collective responsibility, the Prime Minister called on all Bahamians to reject silence and stigma and help build a society where “abuse has no home.”
“Let’s make it known—through our words, through our systems, through our culture—that abuse has no home here,” he said.
