PHILIPSBURG--Oldine Bryson-Pantophlet stepped down as President of the Safe Haven Board on August 1, after holding the position for ten years.
She told The Daily Herald in an interview that her departure was overdue, but that she could now step down confident that the domestic-abuse organisation had been revamped and was in the hands of a young, competent and dedicated team.
Aside from this 10-year tenure, she has been a board member for 15 years total, and was a volunteer at the domestic-abuse organisation a few months before that, shortly after Safe Haven launched in 1998.
Bryson-Pantophlet also was known as the principal of Milton Peters College for 15 years, the Director of Public Education for four, as well as being active in the Heritage Foundation, Nature Foundation and Philipsburg Jubilee Library. She has been named a Member of the Order of Oranje-Nassau and a Paul Harris Fellow.
Now, in leaving Safe Haven and letting go of some social activities, she will be focusing on her role as Social Economic Council SER Chairperson. She said she always would be available if the Safe Haven Board needed her. She would like to eventually give sessions on domestic violence to young people, a crucial group to reach.
Organisation
The organisation has had a bumpy road and has made strides, especially in recent months and years, in improving its financial and social reporting that increase transparency, functionality and integrity. The board and directorship are in a much better place now, she explained.
When asked to reflect on how things had changed over the years, she said the organisation had seemed like chaos before, especially when she was elected President of the Board in 2005. There was a major shakeup whereby two persons were asked to resign and the situation called for new directorship and board members.
The shakeup led to businesses losing confidence in the organisation. A Government subsidy being received had been sufficient only with the help of donations, which decreased as a result of the lost confidence.
However, things have been straightened up, finances are in order and structural changes are expected to let things go a lot more smoothly from now on, she explained.
“It’s a difficult organisation to run,” she said.
The organisation has had a few negative experiences in this regard. Directors need to be very independent, carry a heavy responsibility, they need integrity and backbone, strong reporting skills and must not abuse their power.
The board consists of people working nine-to-five or even nine-to-nine jobs, and they receive no compensation. Key functions such as treasurer need to be strict and maintain good supervision. Getting the finances regulated on its own proved to be “a hell of a job,” she gave as just one example. “It can be discouraging,” and members can feel invisible.
The board for the last few years has comprised Vice President Angelique Romou, Treasurer Candia Joseph, Secretary Angelique Gumbs and members Jean Laurence Provence and Marilyna Boston. Board member Melissa Matinburgh also stepped down on August 1. A new president will be elected in the coming period.
New Interim Director Zylena Barry also has been on board for some months. A lawyer, she was chosen for her strategic expertise. The board wanted to hire someone with strong knowledge of what could and could not be done, and the eventual incoming director should be able to benefit from her knowledge as well.
One influencing factor in changing the foundation was the hiring of a consultant which helped the board to review it. Another influencing factor has been receiving financial supplements from St. Maarten Development Fund (SMDF), which replaced Antillean Co-Financing Organisation AMFO a few years ago and requires three times as frequent reporting.
Receiving the needed funding also goes hand-in-hand with having business in order, executing what is on paper and making sure the right people are in the right places so that organisations can live up to commitments. The upkeep of statistical information is also stricter under SMDF.
In light of the previous lack of funding, the organisation had been stuck using a large-enough, but dilapidated building until a few years ago. The low budget also meant that it was hard to retain employees. Internal financial changes have been made to make the most of any funds.
Awareness
Although there are also dedicated and appreciated private donors, all funds naturally have been devoted to taking care of clients. However, at the same time awareness is lacking. Placing ads or even hosting workshops cost money, as a separate location would need to be rented.
Some billboards placed at various spots on the island have been destroyed and replacing them is more expenditure of money better spent on clients.
Bryson-Pantophlet said she was surprised that she would meet people who still did not know about the organisation’s hotline number 9333. The billboards were all made with various images representing abuse and included the hotline number as well as the slogan “There is no excuse for abuse.”
Adding to the lack of awareness and promotion is the stemming of positive word-of-mouth. The organisation cannot talk openly about what it does, clients tend not to speak of experiences they are trying to put behind them and when any negative stories arise, the organisation cannot defend itself because of confidentiality.
On the other hand, awareness and cooperation with the police are much better than they were 10 to15 years ago. There have been several sessions and workshops over the years and lines of communication are open.
Bryson-Pantophlet said she hoped the same could be said for the medical field in the future. Although there have been some workshops, there is a lack of communication and she hopes the organisation can see what is legally possible to this end. As it is, a case of domestic abuse probably will remain unknown if a victim does not press charges.
However, Bryson-Pantophlet said it would be ideal if the victim were not the one to have to report it, as the victim might go back to the abuser and should not take the blame for eventual incarceration or other consequences.
To the same end, there is a lack of statistics. Without this, “we will not know how great the problem is, we are just guessing.
“Domestic violence is still a very big issue in St. Maarten and often not well understood. Everyone is affected by domestic violence.” Even if it is not someone within the direct family or group of friends, a victim will even affect colleagues in the workplace.
“Physical scars are easier to cure. Emotional and psychological abuse is 10 times worse, because it is not visible.”
The organisation offers accommodation and counselling, and aims at making the victims stronger and more independent. It can always use volunteers.
Bryson-Pantophlet said she was leaving with best wishes and reiterated her confidence in the team taking Safe Haven “to the next level.”
