“We Cannot Keep Mourning”: Flood-Beaubrun Calls For Urgent Action On Violence Against Women

Former Home Affairs and Gender Relations Minister Sarah Flood-Beaubrun is demanding urgent action to confront violence against women in Saint Lucia, declaring that the country has moved beyond the point where sympathy and speeches are enough. “Now is not the time to make speeches. Now is not the time just to say sorry. Now is the time to act,” Flood-Beaubrun said at a United Workers Party (UWP) press conference on Tuesday.

Her comments followed the recent discovery of a decomposed female body near the Millennium Highway, amid heightened national concern over violence against women and reports of missing persons. At the time of her remarks, the body had not been formally identified. Police previously said preliminary investigations strongly suggested the body may be that of missing woman Merrisa Auguste, but stressed that formal identification had not been legally finalised and DNA testing would be used to confirm the deceased’s identity.

Flood-Beaubrun argued that Saint Lucia cannot continue responding to tragedies only after lives have been lost, saying the country must confront the underlying issues contributing to violence against women.

She also renewed her call for a Commission of Inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the killing of Joy St. Omer. Flood-Beaubrun said she first called for the inquiry after St. Omer’s death and noted that the family subsequently petitioned the Governor General and Prime Minister for an investigation.

Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre has said Cabinet is seeking legal advice before determining its position on the request because a murder case connected to St. Omer’s death is currently before the courts. Flood-Beaubrun rejected the Government’s explanation, describing it as “lame excuses,” while accusing the administration of failing to adequately address public safety concerns.

She also called for greater involvement from men in confronting gender-based violence. While stressing that men should not collectively be blamed for violence against women, Flood-Beaubrun questioned whether enough were publicly speaking out. Recalling the “Thousand Man March” held during her tenure as minister, she urged men to once again mobilise, saying they should “take up the mantle” and support the women and girls of Saint Lucia.

Flood-Beaubrun broadened her appeal to include families still searching for missing loved ones, arguing that their pain should not be treated as theirs alone. “Let us realize that this is not their fight alone. This is our fight,” she said.

Her intervention comes as violence against women again dominates national discussion. The Department of Equity, Social Justice, Gender and Older Persons has also expressed serious concern following the discovery near the Millennium Highway and called for collective action against violence targeting women.

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