CRUZ BAY — St. John Deputy Police Chief Vivianne P. Newton took time out of her busy schedule to take a public stand against domestic violence.
Deputy Chief Newton joined some of her other police colleagues and concerned citizens to say the community needs to do everything in it power to stop the scourge of domestic violence.
One of the most lasting consequences of domestic violence is the harm it does to family bonds.
Children witnessing violence committed against their parent can find it difficult to trust adults in the future.
It compromises their attachment to the person that should love and protect them, weakening the family unit.
So Deputy Chief Newton wanted the community to be aware of the negative effects of domestic violence during October, which is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
First observed in October 1981 as a national “Day of Unity,” Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) is held each October as a way to unite advocates across the nation in their efforts to end domestic violence.
Deputy Chief Newton is a former VIPD police detective.