Dragonfly Centre: Domestic Violece Ripples into The Workplace

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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Saturday, November 12, 2011

Domestic Violece Ripples into The Workplace

Cops rescue kidnapped teacher

By Cecily Asson Friday, November 11 2011

Police officers rescued a 20-year-old female school teacher who according to investigators was kidnapped by an estranged boyfriend outside her Point Fortin workplace on Wednesday.

A 21-year-old Princes Town labourer has since been arrested and charged with kidnapping. He appeared before a magistrate in the Point Fortin Court yesterday and is expected to re-appear in court on November 24.

At about 2 pm, the Barrackpore school teacher was about to get into a car at the Fanny Village Government Primary School when she was snatched by a man with whom she ended a relationship six months ago and bundled into a black Nissan Sunny car he was driving.

He sped off with the woman in the car. A witness to the incident made a report to the Point Fortin Police Station and an All Points Bulletin was issued.

The suspect was held following a high speed chase through Point Fortin.

A party of officers led by Cpl Richardson and including PCs Bhajan, Martin, Ramnarine and Homer intercepted the car in the Petrotrin Oilfield Road, Point Fortin and rescued the teacher. She was unharmed, police said. The man was taken into custody and charged with the offence of kidnapping.

Source: http://www.newsday.co.tt/crime_and_court/0,150403.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.