Domestic Violence And Sexual Assault Council Issues Statement Following Brutal Beating Of Female By Then-Boyfriend

ST. CROIX — Following the permitted publishing of pictures showing the wounds of a female victim who had been savagely beaten by her boyfriend at the time, Virgin Islands Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Council (DVSAC) Executive Director, Khnuma Simmonds-Esannason, issued a statement on Friday praising the victim, Carrel McBean, for the courage to come forward with the photos.

“To Carrel: The women and partners of DVSAC commend you for your courage in sharing these photos. We do not take it for granted that you are in a vulnerable place yet you are utilizing your experience to share truth about domestic violence, but also encourage accountability by putting a face to your said,” Mrs. Simmonds-Esannason wrote. “With that, we also want you to know that despite the comments that people will make and the judgments that they will cast – this is not your fault and help is available through the Women’s Coalition of St. Croix at (340) 773-9272.”

According to V.I.P.D. Public Information Officer Glen Dratte, 33-year-old Jamal Gould was arrested on domestic violence charges late Tuesday after he assaulted Ms. McBean two weeks ago by punching her several times in the face, and kicking her multiple times while she was on the floor. Mr. Gould also slammed the victim’s head to the floor, according to police. The victim sustained injury to the forehead.

The V.I.P.D.’s Criminal investigation Bureau and Special Operations team captured Mr. Gould in Lorraine Village. He was charged with third-degree assault and later remanded to the Golden Grove Detention Center after failing to make bail of $25,000.

Ms. McBean, who contacted The Consortium and gave the publication permission to use her name and pictures showing wounds of the assault, said she was glad to know that Mr. Gould had been apprehended by police.

“I just want to make sure that I can walk without him looking at me,” she said.

Mrs. Simmonds-Esannason, responding to comments suggesting that Ms. McBean would return to the abusive relationship, stressed that there is no justification for domestic violence and that no one deserves to be abused.

“Let’s not forgot the bigger picture: Whether it was the first time or the tenth time, abuse is never the answer and should never be justified. Whether the victim chooses to stay or flee as no one deserves to be abused. There are many factors that influence an individual’s decision to remain in an abusive relationship as domestic violence is not black and white — it is grey with complexities that stem from living in a small community to financial dependence and personal beliefs about one’s self and the value of relationships to religion, family/social expectations and access to one’s children. And this is just the tip of an iceberg,” Mrs. Simmonds-Esannason said.

“It’s okay to be simple but do not be simple-minded — they are two different things. Saying a prayer for victims such as Carrel is simple but judging her situation without all of the facts is simple-minded. Calling the police to intervene in a domestic violence dispute in order to prevent injury or death is simple but blaming the victim for doing something that you may or may not have done when you do not walk in the victim’s shoes is simple-minded.

“Making a personal commitment to uplift your community by supporting the people who live within, regardless of their struggles, is simple; but making statements about what victims should or shouldn’t do without acknowledging the safety risks that increase when a victim tries to flee — especially in a community that may be more prone to help the abuser instead of help the victim, is simple-minded,” Mrs. Simmonds-Esannason added.

Warning: Some of the following images are graphic. Viewer discretion advised.

Mrs. Simmonds-Esannason said Ms. McBean’s courage presented an opportunity for action, “So instead of putting her in the spotlight with questions, put yourself on the stand,” she said, adding, “What will you do to help Carrel or others like her? What will you say that will encourage and support victims in their self-growth? What will you do or have you done the last time you heard or witnessed a domestic violence issue? This is a moment to pause, reflect, learn and act because Carrel was brave enough to share her photos but there are many more in the forensic files of the V.I.P.D.”

She also challenged law enforcement and community leadership to better align their perspective on domestic violence.

“To the V.I.P.D., criminal justice system and community leadership, what do your actions say about domestic violence? Should you be urging victims to avoid physical confrontations or should you be urging perpetrators or anyone contemplating victimization to avoid physical confrontations? Responding to violence requires a response but ending it requires accountability, which comes in various forms from batterer’s intervention to psychotherapy and community service, to restorative justice. But urging victims to prevent violence when the perpetrator caused it, is not a form of accountability,” she said.

Mrs. Simmonds-Esannason was responding to St. Croix Police Chief Winsbut McFarland’s comment on the matter following the arrest of Mr. Gould. The chief said, “[We have] seen a rise in domestic violence, and [we’re] urging victims regardless of gender to avoid physical confrontation during misunderstandings. The V.I.P.D. is actively pursuing all cases pertaining to domestic violence.”

“So, to Carrel and every other victim like her (regardless of gender, sexual orientation, age or form of abuse as emotional abuse is just as traumatic), know that DVSAC stands with you. Our partners, The Women’s Coalition of St. Croix and Family Resource Center, stand with you; and you are not in this alone!” Mrs. Simmonds-Esannason concluded.