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DE RUEHBH #0166/01 0482202
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FM AMEMBASSY NASSAU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0369
INFO EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS NASSAU 000166 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PHUM KWMN KPAO BF
SUBJECT: Bahamas S/GWI Project Proposal 
 
REF: 10 STATE 12531 
 
¶1.  Post proposes the following two projects from The Crisis Centre 
and No Excuse Bahamas for consideration for Secretary Clinton's 
Global Women's Issues Small Grant Initiative.  Both projects 
address the theme of gender-based violence.  The grants will be 
managed by the Political Section. 
 
 
 
¶2. Proposal One as submitted by The Crisis Centre (no editing other 
than grammatical) 
 
 
 
----------------------------- 
 
Statement of Problem 
 
----------------------------- 
 
 
 
Gender-based violence is a major problem affecting all areas of The 
Bahamas.  Statistics of the numbers of cases of both domestic 
violence and child abuse are not readily available.   A United 
Nations report has ranked The Bahamas among the top nations in the 
world with domestic violence fatalities, referring to the 42 
percent of murders in 2000 that fell under this classification. 
Another UN report states that The Bahamas has the highest number of 
reported rapes (per 100,000) in the world.  Police report that more 
than fifty percent of homicides in 2001 were the result of domestic 
violence.  A hospital survey in 2000 to determine lifetime 
prevalence of domestic violence in females presenting to the 
accident and emergency department found that; forty percent 
reported physical abuse, twenty percent sexual abuse, and 
thirty-seven percent verbal and emotional abuse.   In June 2009, 
the Government proposed an amendment to the Sexual Offenses Act to 
prohibit marital rape.  This was a giant leap in the fight for 
women's rights and equality; however, the outcry from many sections 
of this society was unprecedented.  This response demonstrated the 
misinformation that many Bahamians have been exposed to; many 
conservative elements opposed the Sexual Offenses Act on religious 
grounds.  They argued that the marriage bed is sacred and undefiled 
according to the bible and such legislation will only cause 
dissension within many homes and communities while at the same time 
sending innocent men to jail as a result of "false accusations by 
vindictive women."  Bahamian women appear to be seen by many as 
having no rights over their bodies within the confines of marriage 
and are exposed to sexual and physical violence that is silenced by 
the social norms of a society, which sees the husband as having 
authority over the wife's body and encourages male sexual 
aggression thereby perpetuating violence against women.  The need 
is therefore vital and urgent for a more aggressive awareness 
campaign that is culturally sensitive; a campaign that spreads 
awareness in New Providence and to the Family Islands of The 
Bahamas. 
 
 
 
----------------------------------------- 
 
Summary of Proposed Program 
 
----------------------------------------- 
 
 
 
This project aims to increase awareness of gender-based violence 
among youth, church groups, and men's and women's groups within the 
islands of The Bahamas through a series of community meetings, 
workshops, and distribution of educational leaflets and posters. In 
addition, community based workers including social workers, nurses, 
police officers, community leaders, and teachers from the Family 
Islands will be trained on the dynamics of gender-based violence 
inclusive of intervention strategies and referrals.  In order to 
reach the wider general population public service announcements for 
television and radio and informational materials on gender-based 
violence will be produced.  The prevention of gender-based violence 
requires advocacy and sustained public education which would work 
toward a change in a culture that accepts and perpetuates violence 
against women and children by developing the capacity of 
community-based advocates to deal with issues of sexual and 
domestic violence.  This project will increase awareness and 
knowledge about the different forms of gender-based violence 
including physical, emotional, sexual, and financial abuse, how to 
recognize the signs of such abuse, understand the effects of this 
abuse on victims and how and where to get help.  At the end of the 
project a cadre of community-based workers will be trained on how, 
 
when, where, and why to intervene when they suspect an adult or 
child is a victim of gender-based violence. Providing this group 
with this information about gender-based violence will greatly 
increase their capacity to provide vital assistance to victims. 
 
 
 
------------------------- 
 
Project Description 
 
------------------------- 
 
 
 
Project Activities 
 
*         To conduct a major workshop for up to 100 persons from 
the Family Islands, to ascertain the situation of gender-based 
violence in their immediate communities/organizations as well as to 
ascertain the needs of the individual islands. 
 
*         To develop, produce and broadcast 30 second public 
service announcements on gender-based violence to be played on 
Prime Time radio and television slots. 
 
*         To reproduce posters, brochures, and fact sheets to be 
distributed to New Providence and on the Family Islands. 
 
*         To implement pilot projects on three major Family Islands 
through monthly visits by two members of a team of counselors and 
facilitators. 
 
*         To facilitate a series of workshops/meetings on 
gender-based violence in the community. 
 
 
 
We are not aware of any major risks that could affect the 
successful implementation of the project.  The project will depend 
on the availability of the health sector workers, police officers, 
social workers, community leaders, and teachers on the Family 
Islands.  There may be minor scheduling challenges given the 
different projects being implemented within these various sectors. 
 
 
 
Program Objectives 
 
The goal is to raise awareness at the community level by sharing 
the information and transferring skills needed to enable early 
intervention.  We believe that educating and providing support for 
survivors reduces the long term effects of domestic and sexual 
violence. 
 
*    To increase awareness of gender-based violence among young 
women and men within the islands of The Bahamas. 
*    To train a cadre of community-based advocates specifically 
police officers, social workers, and nurses from the family, 
islands to become public educators of information on gender-based 
violence: its signs, effects, how to deal with it and who to turn 
to for help. 
*    To facilitate a network of organizations - faith based, 
police, youth groups, government and non-government - who would 
work to increase awareness of gender-based violence and its 
degenerative effects on the quality of life. 
*    To create access to psycho-social support for victims of 
gender-based violence to three major Family islands of Abaco, 
Eleuthera, and Exuma. 
 
 
 
Target Audience 
 
*    Youths Groups 
*    Police Officers 
*    Teachers 
*    Social Workers 
*    Men's Groups 
*    Nurses 
*    Church Groups 
*    Women's Groups 
 
 
 
Strategy 
 
*    Improve consciousness and heighten awareness of 
gender-based violence 
 
*    A three day workshop held in New Providence for three to 
four delegates from each island 
*    Establish pilot clinics in three major islands Abaco, 
Eleuthera, and Exuma via monthly clinics supported by staff from 
New Providence 
*    Production of awareness raising materials to increase 
awareness of gender-based violence including spousal rape, teen 
relationship violence, and child sexual abuse. 
*    A manual which can be used as a resource by advocates on 
Family Islands 
 
 
 
Work plan/timeframe 
 
 
 
First Quarter 
 
*    Preparation of resources 
*    Preparation of manuals, brochures, posters, etc. 
*    Family Island training workshop 
*    Community meetings in New Providence 
 
Second Quarter 
 
*    Follow up activities on the three major Family Islands 
*    Media campaign via radio 
 
Third Quarter 
 
*    Media campaign via television 
*    Family Island outreach clinics 
 
Fourth Quarter 
 
*    Impact assessment 
*    Evaluation 
 
 
 
Output 
 
*         Improve consciousness and heighten awareness of GBV which 
should set tone for passage of spousal rape amendment 
 
*         Trained cadre of resource persons for populated Family 
Islands 
 
*         Establish Centres on three major Islands 
 
 
 
Monitoring and Evaluation 
 
This will be achieved by pre and post assessment of participants at 
workshops, public educational sessions, and by sampling section of 
community 
 
 
 
------------- 
 
Budget 
 
------------- 
 
 
 
*    Workshop in New Providence (100 participants) 
$3,000.00 
*    Travel from Family Islands (round trip) 
$6,792.00 
*    Accommodation for Family Island participants 
$5,000.00 
*    Workshop materials 
$1,000.00 
*    Stipend for counselor/facilitators 
$5,000.00 
*    Travel/accommodations for counselor/facilitators 
$5,000.00 
*    Manual preparation 
$500.00 
*    Community Meetings 
$5,000.00 
*    Printing (posters, brochures, flyers) 
$10,000.00 
*    Production of PSAs 
 
$10,000.00 
*    Media and Public advertising on radio and t.v. 
$10,000.00 
*    Laptop and projector 
$2,016.00 
 
 
 
Total 
$63,308.00 
 
 
 
--------------------------------------------- ------ 
 
Description of Recipient Organization 
 
--------------------------------------------- ------ 
 
 
 
The Crisis Centre is a registered, non-profit organization that 
provides services to people who are the victims of physical, sexual 
and emotional abuse.  The Centre was opened in 1982 with the 
primary aim of sensitizing the community to the devastating effects 
of all forms of abuse; in addition to advocating for legislative 
and societal protection of survivors and raising public 
consciousness.  Our services cater to both males and females of all 
ages from all socio-economic levels.  The Centre is committed to 
the elimination sexual and domestic violence in The Bahamas.  We 
also aim: 
 
*         To promote the safety and healing of survivors of sexual 
and domestic violence and their families. 
 
*         To raise the consciousness of all communities throughout 
the Bahamian Islands to the adverse effects of violence on the 
quality of life. 
 
*         To fight for legislative change to protect victims of 
aggression and challenge relevant agencies to foster appropriate 
and sensitive response to these issues. 
 
*         To improve our service delivery through continuing 
education of all Crisis Centre personnel and share our professional 
expertise with the country at large. 
 
*         To provide a resource centre of family violence 
literature, with specific reference to national data, prevalence 
and trends, so as to facilitate the development of effective 
programs. 
 
 
 
The Crisis Centre has a staff of one and a number of volunteers who 
provide a wide scope of services to the community.  Our volunteers 
include psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, volunteer 
counselors, and attorneys.  They provide the following services: 
Initial intake, crisis counseling, individual therapy, couples 
therapy, family therapy, group therapy, 24-hour Hotline, rape 
victim advocacy in hospital, court advocacy, and domestic violence 
advocacy at selected police stations. 
 
 
 
¶3. Proposal two as submitted by No Excuse Bahamas (no editing other 
than grammatical) 
 
----------------------------- 
 
Statement of Problem 
 
------------------------------ 
 
 
 
Haitian-Bahamian communities are challenged in accessing post 
secondary education and in acquiring jobs because of the time it 
takes to become legally naturalized.  This is a huge barrier to 
overcome and many of the women become unwed mothers during this 
period of no work and no school.  Most of these residents live in 
over-crowded shanty towns with houses which lack the basic 
utilities and tenable infrastructures.  This creates much of the 
social and economic tensions facing the country. 
 
 
 
------------------------------------------- 
 
Summary of proposed program 
 
------------------------------------------- 
 
 
 
¶1.    Our program will examine the transition from high school to 
the work force or college for the displaced Haitian/Bahamian.  We 
will examine the social and economic divide in our country.  Our 
focus is on sexual and domestic abuse with an aim to empower our 
youth economically, socially and academically. 
¶2.    We will target the grass-root communities in the eastern 
District of New Providence with special emphasis on the displaced 
Haitian-Bahamian youth.  These communities lack the basic skills 
and confidence to advance in society. 
¶3.    We will engage the services of the Ministry of Labour and 
Social Development, Education, Foreign Affairs (Passport & Visa 
sections), Financial Service (Domestic investment Board) and Youth 
Sports and Culture, Superior Driving School, Legal Aid Clinic, 
Bahamas Family Planning Clinic, Male Health Initiative, Aids 
Secretariat, Atlantis Hotel, Baha Mar and College of the Bahamas 
for training the participants and offering incentives.  Also, the 
Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Department of statistics, for the 
purpose of gathering statistics on the state of affairs to get a 
more accurate picture of what we are faced with. 
¶4.    No Excuse Bahamas will partner with International 
Organization for Migration (IOM), Bureau of Women Affairs (Ministry 
of Labour and Social Development), Legal Aid Clinic (Attorney 
Ellsworth Johnson), UNFPA, Exuma Chamber of Commerce, Bahamas 
Chamber of Commerce, Local church groups, private sector groups 
(Bani and Nitroz Film, etc.), Crisis Centre, Students of the 
College of the Bahamas, local volunteers, and Cancer Society Grand 
Bahama. 
¶5.    We chose this project as a result of direct interaction in 
the Haitian-Bahamian communities and listening to their complaints. 
This was also done by watching the alarming rate of babies born to 
young un-wed mothers at the Princes Margaret Hospital.  We have 
visited that area and met with many of the Haitians in the 
communities and the concern of their displacement is a major issue 
to them.  Most of the basic academic, inter-relationship and social 
skills in both low income areas are also noticeably missing.  There 
is also a recognizable level of intolerance of ethnic groupings in 
both communities.  We would like to further examine this problem 
through a survey of the Eastern District of New Providence where we 
plan to initiate this program.  There is not as high a 
concentration of these persons in this particular area which 
therefore makes it easier to implement, manage, monitor and assess 
the initial impact of this initiative.  The recent Haiti earthquake 
has further exasperated this problem and exposed more elements of 
human trafficking. 
 
 
 
-------------------------- 
 
Project Description 
 
-------------------------- 
 
 
 
¶1.    This project will involve a comparative study of 10 
Bahamians, 10 Haitian migrant  women and 10 Haitian/Bahamian born 
in The Bahamas awaiting status between the ages of 18 - 25 who meet 
the criteria of being victims of domestic or sexual violence, human 
trafficking or who are displaced due to an inability to become 
naturalized. 
¶2.    The goal will be  to: 
 
a.    Document over a one year (12 month) period their (Young 
women) challenges and the assistance given 
b.    Create a documentary of the process undertaken for 
television 
c.    Create PSA's and posters 
d.    Provide legal and psychological counseling 
e.    Examine the impact as it relates to sexual violence, human 
trafficking and human servitude 
f.    Submit recommendations to Government/relevant agencies for 
action 
g.    Provide education on human trafficking and sexual violence 
to community and church leaders 
h.    Focus on two New Providence communities, and one community 
in Exuma, Freeport and Abaco 
 
¶3.    No Excuse Bahamas will canvass the two communities to find 
candidates for this program.  We will examine the surveys from the 
Bahamas Chamber of Commerce to determine how each program should be 
tailored to meet the specific needs of our initial participants. 
Based on a social assessment by a social worker and a basic 
 
education, medical and psychological assessment (information will 
be solicited through a form and examined by a professional) to 
determine mental capacity and physical health, we will determine 
who will enter the program and how it will be tailored to meet 
their specific need. 
¶4.    We are seeking other organizations to partner with us 
financially, including, the United Nations Population Fund's 
Regional Office (UNFPA, Jamaica) [No Excuse Bahamas registered with 
this organization (UNFPA) and met with the National Program Officer 
during her visit to the Bahamas]. 
¶5.    The short term success of this program will depend largely 
on the level of participation by the sponsors, including the 
government's involvement.  Strong mentors and volunteers will be 
needed to realize short term success.  However, we anticipate 
reaching out directly to 30 individuals for the twelve month 
period.  We also intend to indirectly, through this program, reach 
out to thousands of young men and women on the issues of sexual 
violence and human trafficking. 
¶6.    This project is unique and we are not aware of any other 
programs past or present that directly addresses this social ill in 
The Bahamas.  Focusing initially on New Providence, we believe this 
will be a program that can be replicated in each grass-root 
neighborhood with much success. 
¶7.    Not only is this project feasible but it is practical.  No 
Excuse Bahamas staff and volunteers have worked with youth in this 
country and know that if given an opportunity and if equipped with 
the right tools they can empower themselves to rise above 
mediocrity.  This program is designed to be sustainable and easily 
replicated not only in other Bahamian communities but in other 
countries that have a similar challenge. 
¶8.    Our biggest challenge to achieving our goals is to 
coordinate all of the relevant corporate, government and volunteer 
participants.  We will have to begin the process early and be able 
to show not only the benefits of this program but the urgency in 
getting it started.  We may have to initially start with fewer than 
needed personnel and add more as we progress.  Language may be a 
barrier initially; therefore, the assistance of Creole interpreters 
will be sought.  Undocumented Haitians may not want to openly 
participate so this may present an additional challenge. 
¶9.    An assessment of this program will be undertaken by 
Reverend Fr. Elvado Turnquest, a trained psychologist, sociologist 
and Catholic Priest.  Assessment/Evaluation forms will be designed 
to meet the program's requirement.  Fr. Turnquest was selected 
because of his professional and academic background and his ability 
to be objective in his evaluation as he has no ties to the 
government or No Excuse Bahamas. 
 
a.    Each phase will be evaluated 
b.    The overall initiative will be evaluated. 
 
 
 
 
 
---------- 
 
Budget 
 
----------- 
 
 
 
No Excuse Bahamas anticipates a total cost of USD 91,690.00 to 
complete this project. A complete breakdown of costs is outlined 
below. 
 
 
 
 
Cost 
 
Quantity 
 
Total 
 
 
 
Legal 
 
     $2,000.00 
 
1 
 
 $2,000.00 
 
Chester Chamber 
 
 
Manage Grant 
 
$23,750.00 
 
1 
 
 $23,750.00 
 
No Excuse Bahamas 
 
 
Airfare 
 
     $166.00 
 
5 
 
 $830.00 
 
Exuma 
 
 
 
Per Diem 
 
     $80.00 
 
5 
 
 $400.00 
 
 
 
Hotel 
 
     $120.00 
 
15 
 
 $1,800.00 
 
 
 
Venue 
 
     $500.00 
 
1 
 
 $500.00 
 
 
 
Lunch 
 
     $200.00 
 
2 
 
 $400.00 
 
 
 
Flier Distribution 
 
 $50.00 
 
10 
 
 $500.00 
 
 
 
Airfare 
 
     $186.00 
 
5 
 
 $930.00 
 
Freeport 
 
 
 
Per Diem 
 
     $80.00 
 
5 
 
$400.00 
 
 
 
Hotel 
 
     $130.00 
 
5 
 
 $650.00 
 
 
 
Venue 
 
     $500.00 
 
1 
 
 $500.00 
 
 
 
Lunch 
 
     $200.00 
 
2 
 
 $400.00 
 
 
 
Flier Distribution 
 
 $50.00 
 
10 
 
 $500.00 
 
 
 
Airfare 
 
     $186.00 
 
5 
 
 $930.00 
 
Abaco 
 
 
 
Per Diem 
 
     $80.00 
 
5 
 
 $400.00 
 
 
 
Hotel 
 
     $120.00 
 
5 
 
 $600.00 
 
 
 
Venue 
 
     $500.00 
 
1 
 
 $500.00 
 
 
 
Lunch 
 
$200.00 
 
2 
 
 $400.00 
 
 
 
Flier Distribution 
 
 $50.00 
 
10 
 
 $500.00 
 
 
 
Survey 
 
     $1,200.00 
 
1 
 
 $1,200.00 
 
 COB Students 
 
 
Legal Aid Clinic 
 
 $3,500.00 
 
1 
 
 $3,500.00 
 
10 Women 
 
 
Venue 
 
     $500.00 
 
1 
 
 $500.00 
 
 
 
Meals 
 
     $200.00 
 
2 
 
 $400.00 
 
 
 
Transportation 
 
 $100.00 
 
2 
 
 $200.00 
 
 
 
Flier Creation 
 
 $2,000.00 
 
1 
 
 $2,000.00 
 
 
 
Flier Distribution 
 
 $500.00 
 
1 
 
 $500.00 
 
Billboards 
 
 $750.00 
 
6 
 
 $4,500.00 
 
 
 
Educational/Training Series 
 
 $1,000.00 
 
10 
 
 $10,000.00 
 
selection of ten women to be monitored for 12 months 
 
 
Permanent Posters 
 
 $350.00 
 
30 
 
 $10,500.00 
 
Port of Entry in Exuma, Abaco, Grand Bahama, New Providence 
 
 
Assessment 
 
 $5,000.00 
 
1 
 
 $5,000.00 
 
 
 
Documentary 
 
 $5,000.00 
 
1 
 
 $5,000.00 
 
 
 
PSA's 
 
     $250.00 
 
10 
 
 $2,500.00 
 
 
 
Counseling 
 
 $150.00 
 
10 
 
 $1,500.00 
 
 
 
Documents 
 
 $500.00 
 
1 
 
 $500.00 
 
 
 
Website 
 
     $2,000.00 
 
1 
 
$2,000.00 
 
 
 
Advertising 
 
 $5,000.00 
 
1 
 
 $5,000.00 
 
 
 
Total 
 
             $91,690.00 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
 
Description of Recipient Organization 
 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
 
 
 
 
The mission of No Excuse Bahamas is to raise the consciousness of 
at-risk youths in their environment through positive developmental 
programs.  In keeping with our mission we employ a four prong 
principle: 
 
 
Commitment 
 
 
No Excuse Bahamas wants to inspire pro-social friendships, strong 
interpersonal skills, and instill a sense of hope in the future. 
 
 
Responsibility 
 
 
The focus of No Excuse Bahamas is to empower youth in establishing 
goals and following through on commitments. 
 
 
Possibility 
 
 
No Excuse Bahamas wants to expand the perspective of young people 
to make them aware of life's possibilities. 
 
 
Support 
 
 
An individual is dramatically influenced by their support system. 
No Excuse Bahamas wants to surround young people in a caring, 
inclusive learning environment and where this is not practicable, 
show care in their environment. 
 
 
 
 
 
No Excuse Bahamas is a Non-Governmental Organization that hosts 
programs geared to form synergies with other local NGOs and 
international and Bahamian government agencies. Using positive 
entertainment and community activities, at-risk youth can be 
introduced to pro-social partnerships as opposed to anti-social 
alliances with negative influences like gangs. Their personal 
relationships can aid in developing or reestablishing a greater 
sense of individual responsibility that will give youth the 
commitment to follow through on the path to adulthood with a sense 
of personal and national pride and accomplishment. 
 
Through inculcated negative vices, (sexual, domestic and community 
violence) repeated social, academic and religious failures and 
reinforcement of destructive habits, at-risk youth have lost faith 
in 'the system' and any possibility of successfully putting their 
lives together.  The goals of No Excuse Bahamas are to identify 
such at-risk youths in our community who are in potentially violent 
hot-spots (schools and neighborhoods) and offer positive support 
systems.  The idea is to empower the young person not to glorify 
and emulate local criminal behavior but to make positive changes in 
his/her life. 
 
 
 
We are currently registered and actively involved with numerous 
youth and Women organizations locally and internationally 
including: Ministry of Youth, S.C.A.N. (Ministry of Health 
Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect Unit), Bureau of Women's Affairs, 
UNFPA (United Nation Population Fund, Jamaica), WWSF (World Wide 
Summit Federation, Switzerland), Commonwealth Foundation, (England) 
and the Chamber of Commerce.  We have worked and formed alliances 
with Dr. Patterson of the Crisis Centre and have been supported by 
the Bahamas Family Planning Association (Executive Director, Judith 
Cooper) and Mr. Ezekiel Munnings of the Male Health Initiative, 
Ministry of Health and as a member of the National Child Protection 
Council.  Two of our staff including the chairman, have completed 
the IOM training on human trafficking and the training of trainers 
in Grand Bahama. 
 
 
 
Our organization has hosted many national week long awareness 
activities which included bringing in international speakers and 
local and international artists to raise awareness of child abuse 
and sexual violence against women.  For two years an annual 
resource booklet, which was supported by the U.S. Embassy and the 
IDB, has been produced and distributed free of charge.  This 
booklet contains both local and international articles on domestic 
violence and child abuse and addresses made by Minister of Social 
Services, SCAN, Crisis Centre, Bureau of Women Affairs Police 
Sexual Offence Squad, Williamae Pratt Center for Girls, Prisoners, 
and many others.  Articles cover: Sexual abuse in clergy, homes, 
school, true stories locally and internationally, homosexuality and 
abuse.  We host a one week event annually during the month of 
November in recognition of Child Abuse Day/Week. 
AVANT