Victims of gender-based violence in southern Saint Lucia now have access to a dedicated, private space to share their experiences and access support, after the official handover of a renovated counseling and interview suite at the Vieux Fort Police Station.
The upgraded facility was purpose-built to address a longstanding gap in survivor care: it offers a confidential, trauma-sensitive environment where survivors of abuse and sexual violence can speak openly when filing reports or initiating their journey to healing. The project was delivered through the two-year STOP Gender-Based Violence Initiative, funded by the Government of France as part of broader regional efforts to strengthen frontline responses to gender-based harm across the Eastern Caribbean.
Emma Hippolyte, Saint Lucia’s Minister for Gender Affairs, celebrated the launch of the new facility while urging stakeholders to look beyond infrastructure to drive meaningful change. Hippolyte emphasized that physical upgrades and policy reforms alone cannot end systemic gender-based violence, noting that deep-seated cultural change must start with shifting individual attitudes and behaviors.
“Beyond filling a service gap and aligning with international standards, this new space shines a spotlight on the tireless work that officers from the Vulnerable Persons Unit have carried out for years with limited, inadequate resources,” Hippolyte said during the inauguration. “We must not fall into the trap of believing that a new law, a renovated room, or additional resources alone are enough to solve this crisis. True change begins with how we think and act toward survivors. If we uphold our government’s commitment to putting people first, these new tools will only help us serve vulnerable community members more effectively.”
Superintendent Curtis Roberts, speaking on behalf of the Commissioner of Police and the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force, framed the facility as far more than a physical renovation. “This space represents hope, dignity, and a collective promise that survivors of trauma will receive the compassionate, respectful care they deserve,” Roberts explained. “It provides a secure, private setting where survivors can speak freely, access professional support, and take their first steps toward healing. It strengthens our capacity to deliver survivor-centered services and reinforces our commitment to protecting the rights and well-being of Saint Lucia’s most vulnerable residents.”
Marie-Noelle Duris, Ambassador of the French Republic to Saint Lucia and the Eastern Caribbean, highlighted the global scope of the gender-based violence crisis and the importance of cross-border collaboration to address it. “Gender-based violence is not an abstract policy issue: nearly one in three women and girls worldwide will experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime,” Duris noted. “This is a global challenge that demands action from communities, national governments, and the international community alike. The counseling room we open today is a tangible outcome of our shared work to ensure survivors receive the support, protection, and dignity they are entitled to. Today, we celebrate not just the completion of a project, but the cross-sector partnerships we have built, the local capacity we have strengthened, and the growing global commitment to ending this crisis.”
Over its two-year implementation period, the STOP Gender-Based Violence Project has delivered far more than infrastructure upgrades. The initiative has supported large-scale public education campaigns including the “Know Your Rights” outreach, provided specialized training for frontline service providers, extended core funding and operational support to local civil society organizations, and invested in community-led initiatives designed to protect women, girls, and other marginalized groups at higher risk of gender-based harm.