Bahamas Crisis Centre Director Dr. Sandra Dean-Patterson said yesterday she welcomes Tall Pines MP Leslie Miller's "transformation and voice" after he pledged to be a spokesperson for the organization on Thursday.
However, Dean-Patterson said only time will tell whether Miller will follow through on his pledge, and whether his convictions are sincere.
"I am not so naive to believe just because you say something your attitude and your belief system have changed," she said.
"The proof will be in Mr. Miller's commitments, words and actions around this issue to come."
Dean-Patterson said it has been the center's strategy this year to engage men to become advocates in the fight against gender-based violence.
She said international organizations have recognized the importance of getting men to lend their voices to the issue.
"We are all in this and men and woman have to speak out against it, and share the responsibility of getting the message out," Dean-Patterson said.
"The elimination and prevention of domestic and sexual violence will only come when this happens.
"I think that is why it has not been regarded with the attention or the gravity that it should, because men have been silent generally."
Miller came under fire last week after a Nassau Guardian story highlighted his comments in the House on February 20.
Miller, while comparing the opposition's love of Bahamian fishermen to that of an abusive relationship, said he too "had a girlfriend like that".
While laughing, he said, "When I didn't beat her she used to tell me I ain't love her no more 'cause I don't hit her."
He later said those comments were made in jest and denied that he ever beat a woman.
In the House of Assembly on Thursday, Miller apologized for his statements.
He said when he made them he did not realize the enormity of the problem of domestic violence in the country.
He said he came to appreciate the severity of the problem after speaking with volunteers at the center.
He also made a $1,000 donation to the center and pledged to champion its cause.
Asked to respond to Miller's claim that he has a long history of fighting for the rights and protection of women, Dean-Patterson said Miller has been the only male MP to join the center on its annual walkathon in the last two years.
The walkathon aims to raise awareness on a variety of social issues, including domestic violence.
Dean-Patterson commended Miller for his push to get the government to assist the center in securing a safe house for abuse victims.

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian