NASSAU, Bahamas, CMC—Prime Minister Phillip Davis says violence in the Bahamas and across the Caribbean is a profound public health challenge.
"This is not just a matter of crime and punishment; it is a crisis that touches every part of our society, from the safety of our streets to the stability of our families and even the confidence of our economy," Davis told the "Violence Prevention Forum 2025."
He told delegates that violence diminishes their collective potential, erodes communities, and casts a long shadow over future generations.
"In The Bahamas, we are painfully familiar with the cost of violence. Every year, hundreds of children endure abuse, 583 last year alone, a figure that continues to climb. Gender-based violence remains a blight on our nation, with one in four Bahamian women experiencing physical or sexual violence in their lifetimes."
Prime Minister Davis said that homicides, suicides, and violent assaults remain stubbornly high. While there has been some progress, the persistence of these trends reminds all stakeholders that much work remains.
"This reality is not unique to The Bahamas; our Caribbean neighbors share it. Our region, regrettably, bears one of the highest homicide rates in the world, with rates that are four times the global average."
He said that firearms play an outsized role in this tragedy, accounting for nearly 70 percent of homicides in some nations, and that "these statistics paint a grim picture, but we must remember they are not just numbers.
"They represent lost lives, shattered families, and the erosion of peace in communities across our islands. What makes this crisis particularly urgent is the way violence spreads like a disease. It thrives on neglect, festers in inequality, and takes root where there is hopelessness."
Prime Minister Davis said that studies have shown that children exposed to violence, whether at home, in schools, or their communities, are more likely to repeat those patterns as they grow older.
He said a child who suffers abuse or witnesses violence in their formative years often carries those scars into adulthood, creating a cycle that perpetuates the very conditions we seek to overcome.
"We must also acknowledge the structural factors at play. Nearly 60 percent of Bahamian households are fatherless, a reality that places enormous pressure on single parents and leaves many children without the guidance and support they need."
Prime Minister Davis said in communities where opportunities are scarce, the lure of criminal activity and gang culture becomes a dangerous alternative.
"These are not individual failures. They are symptoms of a system that has not yet addressed the underlying causes of violence. As leaders, we must confront these realities with clarity and conviction.
"Violence is not inevitable. It is not ingrained in our culture or our identity. But it will require a fundamental shift in approaching the problem."
He said viewing violence as a public health issue allows the authorities to prioritize prevention, address the root causes, and develop policies grounded in data and evidence.
"This perspective also calls for collaboration across every sector of society. Violence is not just a matter for the police or the courts; it impacts our health systems, our education systems, and our economic prospects. It demands an integrated response, bringing together government agencies, community leaders, and international partners to address its many dimensions."
Prime Minister Davis said that for the Bahamas, this means strengthening social safety nets, expanding mental health services, and investing in education and job creation to provide alternatives to crime.
He said it also means addressing the culture of silence that too often protects perpetrators and isolates victims. We cannot afford to ignore this in a nation as small and as closely knit as ours.
"Our Caribbean family, through CARICOM, must also move with greater urgency and unity to tackle this shared challenge. Regional collaboration on issues like firearms trafficking, youth engagement, and rehabilitation is essential if we are to make meaningful progress. The task ahead is not easy, but it is necessary."
He told the forum a hurt child grows into an adult carrying the weight of unresolved pain, recalling hearing a story about a boy who grew up in a home where arguments were as common as the sunrise.
"He watched his parents fight, his father’s anger spilling over into his words and his fists. The boy tried to hide in the shadows, but the echoes of violence followed him everywhere. At school, he lashed out at others.
"As a teenager, he turned to the streets, looking for an escape. By the time he became a man, the boy was gone, replaced by anger he didn’t know how to control.
"This story is not unique. It plays out in different forms across our country and our region, creating adults who are often broken long before they’ve even had a chance to build a life," Prime Minister Davis said, insisting that "violence doesn’t begin in adulthood. It is seeded in childhood.
"When a child is hurt, physically, emotionally, or psychologically and left to navigate that pain alone, it doesn’t go away. It festers. And too often, it grows into cycles of harm that spread to others."
Prime Minister Davis said when he reflects on what it takes to reduce violence in the country, he thinks about the stories of those who have suffered in silence.
He said these are the lives that demand attention, and they are the lives the Protection Against Violence Bill, 2023 was created to support.
Davis said the Bill represents a defining step forward for the country, establishing a comprehensive framework to protect victims of violence while addressing the systemic issues that allow violence to persist.
He said at the core of this legislation is the belief that every person deserves safety, dignity, and the opportunity to heal. It brings together key resources and ensures victims no longer navigate their journeys alone.
Prime Minister Davis said establishing the Protection Against Violence Commission marks a turning point in the authorities’ treatment of this issue.
"This Commission will coordinate agencies, allocate funding, and provide technical support to ensure a unified national response to violence. It will connect healthcare providers, law enforcement, and community organizations to deliver timely and effective assistance. This is how we turn fragmented efforts into a cohesive strategy, creating a safety net that no victim slips through."
He said the Bill also sets a clear example of the country’s commitment to meeting international obligations.
"By aligning with frameworks like the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the Convention of Belem do Para, we demonstrate leadership in combating violence. These standards guide us in implementing policies that protect victims and hold perpetrators accountable.
"The legislation also provides victims access to critical services such as safe housing, psychological support, legal aid, and medical care. These supports are not just about survival— they are about recovery and empowerment," Prime Minister Davis told the forum.
Conclusion:
Prime Minister Davis emphasized that the fight against violence requires a fundamental shift in approach, acknowledging that it is a public health issue that demands a comprehensive response from all sectors of society. He urged the need for regional collaboration, strengthened social safety nets, and greater investment in education and job creation to provide alternatives to crime.
FAQs:
What is the current state of violence in the Bahamas?
The Bahamas is experiencing high rates of violence, with hundreds of children enduring abuse and gender-based violence remaining a significant issue.
What is the Prime Minister’s approach to addressing violence?
Prime Minister Davis views violence as a public health issue, requiring a comprehensive response from all sectors of society. He emphasizes the need for strengthened social safety nets, expanded mental health services, and investment in education and job creation to provide alternatives to crime.
What is the role of firearms in violence?
Firearms play an outsized role in violence, accounting for nearly 70 percent of homicides in some nations.
How does the Protection Against Violence Bill address the issue of violence?
The Bill establishes a comprehensive framework to protect victims of violence while addressing the systemic issues that allow violence to persist. It provides victims with access to critical services such as safe housing, psychological support, legal aid, and medical care.