The Business and Professional Women’s Association of Grand Cayman (BPW Cayman) invites the community to join the 26th Annual Silent Witness March (SWM) on Thursday, 15 October 2026, gathering at 3:00 p.m. on the lawn of the Government Administration Building in George Town. The annual march, held each October as part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, honours those who have lost their lives to domestic violence and stands alongside survivors, families, and advocates working to end abuse in all its forms. This year’s theme, “With Survivors, Always,” places survivors at the heart of the march. It is a promise that support does not end when the walk does: that survivors will be believed, heard, and accompanied through every stage of healing, and that no one in the Cayman Islands should face abuse alone.
The campaign hashtag, #Every1KnowsSome1, is a reminder that domestic abuse touches every family, workplace, and community, which means every person has a part to play in standing with survivors. First organised in 2000 by BPW Cayman, the Silent Witness March began as a small tribute and has grown into a powerful community movement, uniting individuals, families, schools, businesses, and government agencies to break the silence surrounding domestic violence. The 26th Annual Silent Witness March is presented by BPW Grand Cayman in partnership with the Gender Affairs Unit and the Department of Counselling Services of the Cayman Islands Government, and the Cayman Islands Crisis Centre (CICC). Once again, the march coincides with the Global Day for Action Against Domestic Abuse, observed worldwide as “Purple Thursday.”
“For 26 years, we have walked in silence for those who can no longer speak,” said Cheryl Myles of BPW Grand Cayman. “This year, we are also making a promise to the survivors who are still with us: we see you, we believe you, and we are with you, always. Standing with survivors cannot be something we do for one afternoon in October. It has to show up in how we listen, how we respond, and how we refuse to look away for the rest of the year.”
The march will begin at the Government Administration Building (G.A.B.) lawn, proceed past the former George Town Police Station, the Cayman Islands Courts, and the House of Parliament, and conclude at Constitution Hall. The route symbolises the shared responsibility of law enforcement, the judiciary, and government to protect survivors, uphold justice, and promote safety. Speaking on behalf of the Government, the Hon. Isaac Rankine, JP, MP, Minister for Social Development & Innovation, said: “The Government of the Cayman Islands stands firmly with survivors of domestic abuse. Walking past our police station, our courts, and our Parliament is a fitting reminder that every institution has a duty to protect those at risk and to support those rebuilding their lives.
Through the work of the Gender Affairs Unit, Department of Children and Family Services, Department of Financial Assistance, alongside community partners like the Crisis Centre our partners like the Family Resource Centre, Department of Counselling Services and Ministry of Health, and others in the community, we remain committed to ensuring survivors have the services, protection, and respect they deserve. I encourage everyone to join the march and show, together, that Cayman stands with survivors, always.” Karlene Bramwell, Senior Policy Advisor (Gender, Diversity and Equality), added: “#Every1KnowsSome1 is not just a hashtag; it is a reality. Each of us knows someone who has been affected by domestic abuse, whether we realise it or not. Being with survivors, always, means knowing where to point someone for help, responding without judgement, and building homes, schools, and workplaces where people feel safe enough to speak up. The Gender Affairs Unit is proud to continue this partnership and to walk alongside survivors, this October and every day after.
”Businesses, schools, and organisations are encouraged to wear purple in support and to host a dress-down day to raise funds for the Cayman Islands Crisis Centre. To organise a dress-down day, or for more information, contact bpwgcm@gmail.com. A short ceremony and refreshments will follow at Constitution Hall, featuring reflections from community leaders, advocates, and survivors. About BPW Cayman BPW Cayman is a non-partisan charter group of BPW International, a United Nations–recognised civil society organisation founded in 1930 by Dr. Lena Madesin Phillips. Rooted in the belief that every woman must bring constructive thought and action to public life, BPW promotes equality, empowerment, and opportunity for women across all spheres of society.
The organisation stands firmly against discrimination of any kind, embracing diversity across religion, culture, colour, and nationality, and continues to champion the values of human dignity, justice, and equality in the Cayman Islands and around the world.