Aruba has lost control in the fight against domestic violence, addiction, and mental health issues, according to Minister of Health and Social Affairs drs. Mervin Wyatt-Ras, who made the striking admission during a live interview on NoticiaCla LIVE with journalist Tito Laclé on Thursday.
Wyatt-Ras acknowledged that the island has been struggling with these interrelated social crises for an extended period, confirming that the government does not currently have full control over the growing problems of domestic violence, substance addiction, and mental health deterioration. The minister’s candid assessment came in response to direct questioning about the noticeable increase in reported cases since 2020.
“Yes, abuse and mistreatment are problems that are becoming more visible each time. It is a structural problem,” Wyatt-Ras declared during the broadcast. The minister emphasized that domestic violence in particular has reached concerning levels across Aruban communities, affecting families from all socioeconomic backgrounds.
According to Wyatt-Ras, the government is working to align Aruba’s legal framework with international treaties, including the Istanbul Convention on preventing and combating violence against women. Aruba is currently in the process of strengthening its legal and institutional framework to enable ratification of this critical international agreement, which sets comprehensive standards for protecting victims and prosecuting perpetrators.
Shelter System Needs Urgent Improvement
One of the most pressing concerns raised by the minister is the inadequacy of Aruba’s current shelter system for victims of domestic violence. Wyatt-Ras stressed that the existing shelter facilities have fallen behind in meeting the needs of those seeking protection. “The current shelter is inadequate. We have allocated budget, but it is not sufficient. We need to strengthen this to achieve real change,” he stated.
The government is collaborating with the Department of Social Affairs to establish improved contact points for victims, enabling more effective reporting mechanisms and streamlined access to assistance services. However, the minister admitted that significant gaps remain in the support infrastructure.
A Long Road Ahead
When pressed by Laclé on whether the government truly has the situation under control, Wyatt-Ras offered a sobering response. “Let us be honest — the control, we lost it a long time ago. Because if we had complete control, we would not need to take all these measures. The reality is that we still need to do much more,” the minister conceded.
Wyatt-Ras identified raising public awareness as one of the greatest challenges facing Aruba in addressing these issues. The government plans to continue working on education campaigns, strengthening inter-institutional cooperation, and expanding the overall support system for those affected by violence, addiction, and mental health challenges across the island.
