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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Monday, July 16, 2012

Husband, 73, on murder charge

FIT FOR TRIAL: Ralph Sahibram

Magistrate rules he’s fit for trial

Story Created: Jul 16, 2012 at 10:50 PM ECT

Story Updated: Jul 16, 2012 at 11:11 PM ECT

By Innis Francis innis.francis@trinidadexpress.com

SEVENTY-THREE-year-old Ralph Sahibram appeared in the Point Fortin Magistrates' Court yesterday charged with beating his wife to death with a wrench.

Sahibram, of Grants Road, Rousillac, allegedly killed his wife, Myrna Sahibram, while she slept on a living room couch at the family’s home last week Monday.

Sahibram, 73, dressed in a black long-sleeved shirt and black trousers, appeared before Senior Magistrate Indrani Cedeno, shortly before lunch.

He shouted, “Good morning everybody” as be entered the court, and was silenced by Court and Process officers who led him to a seat.

Sahibram was charged by Police Constable Darryl Blackman and was represented by attorneys Natalia Cummings and Herbert Charles.
His relatives were outside the court during the hearing of the matter.
Cummings told magistrate Cedeno that she wanted a short adjournment date.
“We want to know what is the mental health of our client,” Cummings said.
Cedeno asked, “Does your client have a history of mental illness? Let me clear it up. What is your name sir? How old are you? Do you know where you are?”
When Sahibram answered all three questions, Cedeno ruled that the accused was fully aware and has a good level of intelligence.”
Sahibram, a retired school bus driver, was remanded in prison custody and the matter was adjourned to July 23.

Source: http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/Husband-73-on-murder-charge-162673906.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.