The shocking murder of Alana Bernard has left Saint Lucia reeling, and an advocate for women’s rights is pleading not only for justice but for change.
Bernard, a 27-year-old mother of three, was gunned down just metres from her home in Corinth on Tuesday evening.
Jessica St Rose, a passionate advocate for women’s rights, has declared that enough is enough.
“I am enraged,” she told St Lucia Times as her voice filled with emotion. “Violence against women has been happening for years, but this one has left a heart-wrenching mark on the hearts of lots of women; in fact, the general public.”
For St Rose, this isn’t just another news story – it’s personal. She believes the country must come together, beyond politics, to fight this crisis.
“This is not about politics. This is a national issue. We need to stand up, all of us,” she insisted.
St Rose also raised concerns about the lack of witness protection in Saint Lucia, challenging women in leadership roles and Parliament must do more.
“We have women in power who can push for change, but I’m not hearing enough from them. We have persons like Catherine Sealys [Director of Raise Your Voice Saint Lucia] who cannot be the only one raising her voice,” she said.
St Rose said women cannot continue to suffer while those with the power to help remain silent.
“Where does this leave us as a nation?” she asked, her frustration evident. “I need them to come out and raise their voices against these things and enact policies and laws that will protect women against that. We have to act, now!”
Agreed with Jessica. All the condolences being sent over Social media and other platforms to nothing to the safety of women and men in SLU. The condolences will last for just a few days and everyone will move on. How do we prevent such violence against women. Those in authority need to act now will some policies and not just condolences. This is not enough for protection of women. Where are they ? They need to be called out by name – Virginia Poyotte, Emma Hypolyte etc. We need to hear not just your voice but your actions.
The judicial system in St. Lucia is a joke and also the real problem – the thugs who are roaming the streets would serve humanity better by being locked up. The entire judicial system needs an overhaul for real – the thugs are bailed out to commit more crimes. The greedy lawyers are defending their THUG clients because of the need for blood money by any means necessary…greed and more greed. Just in case you all did not know -no one takes money $$$$$$$$$$$$$, land and or houses to the grave.
All of you are looking to build bigger houses (envy and jealousy 24/7) instead of helping to solve ongoing crimes on island. The politicians are running scared for their lives as well as the citizens of 758. In your 238 square miles all of you know who the criminals are – they are right in the midst and you all are scared. Most of you are looking for a media opportunity instead of being relevant and agents for change. You are all busy looking to rub elbows with the powers that be instead of seeking change. I thank God for getting me out of 758 when he did.
well well. I read Oh this is not about politics. Well unless we realise that all our issues ar epolitically linked then we will continue to hv those issues. U asked for policies and laws but who else can enact laws “politicians”.
Who can have a policy to implement working CCTV cameras islandwide “politiiciasns”
Who els could’ve given directive to have a national man hunt for those responsible the same night”the PM another “politician”
Who else can improve security to prevent so many guns from entering, “politician”
Jump high Jump low. Plain and Simple and accept it. Our state is simply because of the those selfish, self centered men and women we vote for every 5 years. They put persons in place in important sectors and deprtments based on their polititcal affiliation and absolutely NOTHING is being doen to make our lives better other than enrich theirs and their close allies.
When the next person is gunned down, wait for the sympathies from them.
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There have been so many homicides in this country but never an uproar or out cry so is this one a special case why are we so hypocritical as it relates to crime . There should be an outcry for every homicide in the island and not this one only condolences to the family of this young lady . I hope that this case will be solved and the perpetrators brought to justice …