Queen Camilla Labels Violence Against Women 'Terrifying' in a Speech During Caribbean Visit

Queen Camilla has always been vocal on issues that resonate with her, whether standing up to domestic violence or promoting education.

Queen Camilla has always been vocal about causes close to her heart, from taking a stand against domestic violence to advocating for education, even during her overseas tours. Recently, Camilla once again used her platform to meet people working on the ground-level to support those affected by violence, delivering a strong message about the importance of speaking out and ensuring survivors are not left without help.

During her appearance at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) Women's Forum in Antigua and Barbuda, Queen Camilla described the scale of global violence against women and girls as "terrifying." Delivering a keynote address, Camilla spoke about the need to listen to women when they ask for help and ensure they receive proper support. During her speech, she quoted Antiguan cricket legend Sir Viv Richards, whom she had met at the country's Independence Day celebrations on Sunday, stating, “Confidence is contagious. It spreads through the team and drives us to success."

Drawing a comparison between cricket and the work being carried out by the forum, Camilla added, “That is true of cricket, and it is true of this Forum. Together, we have confidence that we can, and we will, see the end of violence against women and girls, forever.” She continued, “We all know someone who has been personally affected by these heinous crimes. We must, therefore, all be part of the solution.” Camilla also highlighted the progress being made across Commonwealth countries through the introduction of "one-stop shops," centers that bring health, social, police, financial, and legal services under one roof, making it easier for survivors to access support.

Following her keynote address, the Queen attended a reception with survivors and women working to prevent violence against women and girls. The gathering gave her an opportunity to speak directly to those advocating for survivors and supporting victims of abuse. During a conversation with Tamara Huggins, from the Civil Society Organisation, Camilla shared, “When you start to scratch the surface, it's terrifying." She also explained why she wanted to encourage more open conversations about abuse: “I'm trying to get people to talk about it [abuse] more so it's not taboo."

Camilla also encouraged activists working to end physical and sexual violence against women to continue their efforts, telling them to "just keep going" and thanking them for their hard work. During the engagement, Camilla also watched young women perform a modernized local adaptation of The Little Mermaid, which highlighted the challenges faced by women today.