Femicide in Saliña exposes systemic failures: 293 reports of relationship violence on Curaçao
The murder of a woman in Saliña on 10 October raises questions about the protection of domestic violence victims on Curaçao. Women report not being heard; the ministry announces a special task force.
Murder in Saliña puts protection of women on Curaçao under pressure
Caribischnetwerk.ntr.nl reports that the murder of a woman in the Curaçaoan neighbourhood of Saliña in the early morning of Friday 10 October has made a deep impression on the island. The police describe the case as a "relationship conflict". Multiple online media outlets report that the woman had previously filed a complaint against her ex-partner, and that she had been shot by him just days before her death. The case shines a sharp light on the way the system handles women who seek help for domestic or partner violence.
Women feel unheard
Several women on Curaçao say they do not feel taken seriously by the police when they report assault or threats by a partner. A woman who wishes to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals describes how, after serious assaults, she went to the police multiple times. "I was told: 'Oh, you'll be back together in a couple of days.' While I was black and blue. My ex was never arrested, never questioned. How is that possible?"
Another woman says that an officer laughed at her when she wanted to file a complaint. "They said that I was the guilty one, because I stayed with him. But I stayed because I was afraid."
Shame and lack of a way out
Domestic violence remains a taboo on Curaçao. Many women feel ashamed or do not dare to speak out. "Your children are walking on eggshells, you feel alone. And if the police turn you away too, what are you supposed to do?", says one of the women. Some seek support from private initiatives or acquaintances, others leave the island. For many, there is no clear path to safety.
"National plan has been in place for ten years, but is barely being implemented"
Rachel Hawker of Stichting Nihaila House states that Curaçao still does not have a properly functioning structure to tackle domestic violence. "We see the signals daily in women seeking help, but the system is not working well," she says. "There is a lack of cooperation between support organisations and not all service providers know how to deal with victims."
Hawker points out that a national plan to tackle domestic violence more effectively has been in place for ten years, but it is barely being implemented. "Campaigns that inform women about where they can seek help are scarce. As a result, many victims do not know where to turn." She emphasises that not all police officers act appropriately. "Some do well, others lack knowledge or training. There is a need for clear procedures and awareness-raising throughout the entire system."
Police: "Every report is taken seriously"
Police spokesman Maurits Rosalia rejects the accusations. "No, I don't recognise that at all," he says. "We do not have a special protocol for women, but for all citizens it applies that we help them. When reports of relationship violence are made, there are clear instructions from the prosecutor-general to treat these seriously."
Rosalia points to the distinction between a report and a formal complaint as a possible source of misunderstandings. "Not every report of relationship violence becomes a complaint. Sometimes someone indicates that they have been threatened, but it turns out that this is not legally a criminal offence. In other cases, someone withdraws the complaint later, for example because the partner is the breadwinner or due to family pressure." He states that officers receive training in dealing with domestic violence victims. Anyone who believes that a complaint has not been handled properly can file a complaint with the supervising officer of the officer in question, with the Internal Affairs Bureau, or with the Public Prosecutor's Office, according to Rosalia.
Ministry announces special task force
Days after the murder, the Ministry of Justice announced the creation of a special task force that will focus entirely on domestic violence, partner violence and femicide. Minister Shalten Hato (MFK) says the task force works on the principle of "protecting before it is too late." Victims must be helped faster and more empathetically, and the police will work more closely with support services.
Hato further announces that police officers will receive additional training in dealing with victims, that cooperation with schools and civil society organisations will be strengthened, and that the registration of incidents will be improved.
Reports increase year on year
Police figures show that the problem is increasing. This year there have already been 293 reports of relationship violence recorded — more than in 2024 and 2023, when it was 144 and 172 reports respectively.
The murder in Saliña makes painfully clear that the system for women seeking help still falls short. "If you are told every time that it is your fault or that you will go back anyway, then you give up," says one of the women. "But sometimes giving up is fatal."
Source: Google News CW — Crime