Dragonfly Centre: Brutal Family Violence Case

Mission

Non-Profit, 501(c)(3)

Mission: The Dragonfly Centre is committed to the elimination of domestic violence against women and their children by providing victim friendly services that promotes the empowerment of survivors; through advocacy, public awareness and education and community based initiatives.

Vision: The Dragonfly Centre envisions a world free of violence against women and their children and social justice for all. We are founded on the vision and belief that every person has the right to live in a safe environment free from violence and the fear of violence and strive to work collaboratively with the community to provide victim friendly services to support domestic violence victims, survivors to the stage of thriving.

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Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Brutal Family Violence Case

Woman chopped, in critical condition

By RALPH BANWARIE Monday, November 14 2011

Quick response from neighbours, drawn by the agony and cry for help from a defenceless Sangre Grande housewife, saved her from being chopped to death.

The 35-year-old housewife is warded in critical condition at the Sangre Grande District Hospital after being chopped about her body by a male relative.

Sandra Harrilal, of Blake Avenue, Foster Road, Sangre Grande, is warded in critical condition at Sangre Grande Hospital.

The cutlass attack victim had her five fingers severed in addition to being chopped on her head, back and chest. Police reported that about 2 am on Saturday, Harrilal was at her Blake avenue home asleep on her bed when she was awakened by a relative, who was armed with a cutlass, shouting at the top of his voice, “I will kill you tonight.”

Before she could respond, or make her escape from her bed, the relative immediately raised his cutlass and began firing chops at Harrilal.

The last chop was fired at her neck, and in defence Harrilal raised her left hand to block the cutlass from striking her neck.

During the struggle she screamed out “help me” to her neighbours, who came to her assistance, but the husband jumped through the window and ran into the bushes.

The neighbours then called the police and an EHS ambulance.

A party of police officers from Sangre Grande CID rushed to the scene at Blake Avenue, where they discovered Harrilal lying in blood on her bed with her five left fingers severed.

The male relative was held and is expected to appear before a Sangre Grande magistrate today.

Source: http://www.newsday.co.tt/crime_and_court/0,150598.html

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A Little Background…..

In 2007 I was introduced to the twin island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. It is a beautiful tropical country located in the southern most part of the Caribbean archipelago. However, the opportunity to travel to this part of the world would not present itself until March of 2009. It was an incredible experience to be able to visit a country where I had never been before and I literally knew no-one. I had the privilege to experience a new culture and meet many wonderful people who made my trip an amazing experience. Although the purpose of my visit was recreational, something happened that changed all of that. One evening while on a hike with my tour guide and one of the locals at The ASA Wright Nature Centre, one of the men asked me where I was from and what I did for a living. It was at that moment that I disclosed that I was a Domestic Violence Advocate. He paused, looked at me and replied,… “we need you here”. At that moment I did not fully understand what he meant or how I could help.

A few days after this I visited one of the local court houses to learn about how someone could obtain a protection order. What I discovered disturbed me greatly, to say the least. The process by which abused individuals could obtain legal protections left much to be desired. This sparked grave concern for victims coupled with a desire to learn more about the local system and services. After I finished my travels all I could think about was the need of the people in Trinidad and Tobago. It was shortly after my return to the United States that the Dragonfly Centre for Women’s Empowerment and Transformation began to take form. While completing my Bachelors degree at Evergreen College, I developed an Individual Learning Contract entitled “Domestic Violence in Trinidad and Tobago” and was awarded The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship. This allowed me to return to Trinidad and Tobago for my final quarter at the end of December of 2009 for my nine week study. My focus was on services addressing domestic violence. What I came away with was the echoing cries for help by the people who freely shared their personal views and stories. Although I wasn’t quite sure what, I knew I had to do something. As a consequence, it was these cries that gave birth to and helped shape the Dragonfly Centre to be what it is, a multifaceted institution with a focus on public education, shaping public policy and providing direct victim friendly services to support families dealing with domestic violence.