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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Friday, April 27, 2012

Teen Dating and Domestic Violence

Spurned love ends in murder of teenager

Published:

Friday, April 27, 2012

Nikita Ramischand

The 18-year-old daughter of Port-of-Spain lawyer, Odai Ramischand, was stabbed to death Wednesday night.

Police said Nikita Ramischand was stabbed six times in the neck and abdomen. Her body was found by her parents and siblings at the family’s home, Maracas Royal Road, St Joseph, around 8.30 pm. Nikita was an accounts student at the School of Business and Computer Science (SBCS), Champs Fleurs. She also assisted her mother in the family’s beauty salon. Homicide detectives believe she was stabbed by a jilted lover. Up to late yesterday police were looking for a suspect, also 18.

Senior officers believed the suspect might attempt to leave the country as he had a ticket booked to Guyana. They also said her relationship with the suspect had been kept a secret. Her brother, Sid, who spoke in an interview at the Forensic Science Centre, St James, yesterday described his sister as a girl who had “a promising future and was brilliant.” He said she met someone who took her life because she spurned his love and an offer of marriage. Inspector Ramnaresh Seecharan, acting Insp Lawrence, Sgt Samuel, Cpl Jones and Modeste and PC Seville were among the officers who went to the scene.

(With reporting by Camille Clarke)

Source: http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/2012-04-26/spurned-love-ends-murder-teenager

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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.