When families break and tragedy unfolds

The nation has once again been jolted by the tragic loss of life arising from domestic violence. The horrific murder of Teekadai “Atiya” Solomon at the hands of her husband, Alroy Solomon, followed by his suicide and the wounding of their 10-year-old son, is more than another entry in the crime blotter. It is a grim reminder of a deep and ongoing social crisis, the prevalence of intimate partner violence and the fragility of families.
The details released by the Guyana Police Force paint a chilling sequence of events. On August 26, 2025, in broad daylight at Charlotte and Bourda Streets, Georgetown, a family was shattered by violence. Atiya, only 36, was shot multiple times as she fled for her life. Her young son was also targeted, suffering a gunshot wound, while her husband ultimately turned the weapon on himself. Behind this act lay a history of abuse, accusations, control, and isolation, patterns familiar in countless other households where domestic turmoil festers in silence.
President Dr Irfaan Ali, in responding to this tragedy, struck at the heart of the matter, “The family remains the basic cell of human society, and its preservation is essential to our nation’s well-being. When families break, society bleeds. But when families thrive, a nation stands tall.” His words are sobering because they transcend the immediacy of this case. They highlight the truth that the ripple effects of broken families go beyond the private sphere, they weaken the social fabric itself. Children caught in such environments carry scars that last a lifetime, perpetuating cycles of trauma that echo into future generations.
Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo has also acknowledged the urgent need to address men’s inability, or unwillingness, to manage emotions in healthy ways. On the campaign trail ahead of the September elections, he announced that one of the Government’s upcoming programmes will specifically focus on helping men to deal with their emotions. This recognition is both timely and necessary. Too often, men who are unable to cope with rejection, jealousy, or feelings of inadequacy resort to violence, mistakenly equating control with love, and power with masculinity. Society pays the price when unresolved emotions become destructive impulses.
Domestic violence is not an isolated issue. It is prevalent across communities, cutting across class, ethnicity, and geography. The Solomon case is only the latest, not the last, unless there is sustained and collective intervention. Reports of women enduring years of psychological and physical abuse, often in silence, are far too common. Many remain trapped due to economic dependence, cultural stigma, or fear of escalation. In turn, children raised in such homes learn to normalise violence, continuing the cycle.
This tragedy must, therefore, serve as a turning point. It compels urgent reflection and stronger societal response. While law enforcement has a role to play in ensuring swift justice and protection for victims, the challenge cannot be left to Police alone. What is needed is a comprehensive, multi-layered approach which includes stronger support systems for victims, including safe shelters, accessible legal aid, and robust counselling services; focused interventions for men, especially in helping them process emotions without violence, as the Vice President has outlined; community vigilance where friends, family, and neighbours no longer remain silent when they see warning signs of abuse; public education campaigns that dismantle the myths sustaining abusive relationships and empower individuals to seek help early.
The silence that so often surrounds domestic violence must be broken. It is not a “family matter” to be hidden behind closed doors; it is a public health crisis, a social justice issue, and a national priority.
The preservation of families, as President Ali emphasised, is foundational to national well-being. But families cannot thrive where fear and violence dominate. Nor can society stand tall when women and children live under constant threat. Addressing this scourge requires a shift in cultural attitudes, robust institutional frameworks, and a collective will to confront uncomfortable truths.