For anyone not aware of it, October is “Domestic Violence Month” in Bermuda which is intended to raise awareness of domestic violence, show support for victims and survivors, and to amplify support for the resources that are available here on Island.
This morning's Royal Gazette (23rd October 2024) carried an article “Advocate urges widening of domestic abuse law” in which Tawana Tannock, a former chair of the Human Rights Commision urged the need to have the Island’s domestic abuse legislation broadened to offer better protection and support, to include forms of abuse such as coercive control as well as mental and emotional abuse. CLICK HERE to view the article.
Ms. Tannock’s call was made at the Women’s Resource Centre’s inaugural Purple Thursday Gala at the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club, last Thursday. The event was geared at elevating awareness and advocacy for survivors of abuse during Domestic Abuse Awareness Month throughout October.
It’s no coincidence that we’ve just published an article during Domestic Violence Month here on our ExPo website written by retired Supt. George Rose which carried the newspaper headline, “Jealous Lover Jailed for 18 Months”. The article (CLICK HERE to view it) described a serious domestic abuse case that occurred back in 1969. George has previously written two other articles about serious domestic violence cases, one of which we published during last year’s “Domestic Violence Month.
There’s no question that members of the BPS frequently find themselves on the front line in dealing with domestic violence, and there will no doubt be countless cases we can collectively recall as police officers. In fact, during her address Ms Tannock’s highlighted the murder of Anna Skeeters in Bermuda way back in 1878, and she explained how the people of Sandys came together to search for her body. Ms Tannock said the Skeeters murder played a key role in the formation of the Bermuda Police Service, and she called for collective community action to address domestic abuse.
For those not familiar with the Skeeters case, this refers to a murder in 1878 that shocked the Island. Edward and Anna Skeeters lived at Somerset Long Bay and were said not to have had the happiest marriage. When Anna mysteriously vanished her husband was the prime suspect, especially when bloodstained clothing was found at their home. Some time later several local fishermen discovered her body underwater tied to a heavy boulder, and Edward Skeeters was subsequently tried, convicted, and hanged for his wife’s murder. He was buried on the Island in the Great Sound that bears his name, and the boulder he tied to his wife to keep her body submerged was used as the headstone on his grave.
It is said that the Skeeters murder was the final push for Bermuda’s Legislature to pass the Police Establishment Act on 1st October 1879, and with its enactment Bermuda finally had a full time Police Force. Domestic violence has clearly plagued Bermuda from just about the beginning of its settlement and is still prevalent today.
EDITORS NOTE - There is an in depth article in the Bermudian Magazine - CLICK HERE to view it - written by Sandra Campbell, about the murder of Anna Skeeters, which makes for fascinating reading. It describes in detail the family life of Edward and Anna Skeeters, the circumstances of Anna Skeeters tragic death, the finding of her body and the subsequent trial and conviction and execution of Edward Skeeters. In this case justice was certainly served.