KINGSTON, Jamaica— Through the Learning Curve Jamaica (TLC), a domestic violence facility, benefitted from a $500,000 donation through National Commercial Bank (NCB) Foundation’s 2024 Grant a Wish initiative.

TLC was selected as a recipient of the grant by Robert Almeida, chief executive officer (CEO) of NCB Financial Group Limited (NCBFG), who believes that addressing domestic issues is not just a responsibility but a chance to drive meaningful change.

Led by retired Deputy Commissioner of Police Novelette Grant, TLC provides essential support to domestic violence survivors through workshops, advocacy and assistance designed to empower victims to help them rebuild their lives.

“Home should be a safe haven, but for far too many women, it’s a place of fear,” said Grant.  “We give them the tools to break free and reclaim their futures.”

“Victims had nowhere to turn,” Grant said in reflecting on a time when domestic violence was a widely overlooked crisis in Jamaica— prior to the implementation of the Domestic Violence Act of 1996— when there were no laws to protect victims and abuse was often dismissed as a private matter.

In the early 2000s, Grant was among 12 specially-trained officers tasked with transforming how Jamaica’s police force responded to domestic violence. At a time when fewer than 20 per cent of police officers were women, Grant distinguished herself as a leader, championing a holistic approach to tackling the issue. Her efforts expanded the programme to include social workers, faith leaders, justices of the peace, and healthcare professionals—key frontline responders for victims.

“Domestic violence doesn’t stop without intervention; without proper tools, victims are trapped in a cycle of abuse that ripple through families and communities,” the retired top cop said.

Her commitment to this cause is deeply personal shaped by her experiences as a young officer. She recounted one of her first cases – an 80-year-old woman beaten by her 83-year-old husband over suspicions of infidelity.

“I had just left training school, and I thought, ‘Shouldn’t they be giving me advice?’” she said.

With no established protocols at the time, her only recommendation was to separate the couple. The case underscored the urgent need for systemic intervention.

“Age doesn’t stop domestic violence. These cycles persist unless we act,” she noted.

Almeida also shared his perspective on the far-reaching impacts of domestic violence, reflecting on how a safe upbringing can shape one’s life trajectory. “If I had grown up in a household with domestic violence, every aspect of my life might have been completely different,” he said.

Highlighting TLC’s work, he added, “Helping one person creates a ripple effect that can transform families, communities, and even nations.  The power of that one act of kindness is immeasurable.”