Dragonfly Centre: Victims and Witness Support Unit head: Our children are in crisis

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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Sunday, July 22, 2012

Victims and Witness Support Unit head: Our children are in crisis

Published: Sunday, July 22, 2012

Rhonda Krystal Rambally

The number of reports to the Victim and Witness Support Unit of the T&T Police Service has already reached 841 for this year. Of that number, 300 of the victims from the Central Division made reports of domestic violence, rape and child abuse. Retired assistant commissioner of police Margaret Sampson-Browne who manages the unit said this yesterday at a symposium titled Voices held at the Centre of Excellence, Macoya.

Head of the Victims and Witness Support Unit of the

Trinidad and Tobago Police Service, Margaret

Sampson-Browne, explains the data on abuse in

Trinidad at the Voices workshop on domestic violence

and child abuse held at the Centre of Excellence,

Macoya, yesterday. PHOTO: NICOLE DRAYTON

Speaking about the figure in Central, she said, “Those are people who are saying that they are brave

enough to come and make a report. “Those who can’t take it anymore.” She spoke of a situation in Couva where a man beat his wife, put her out of the home, and was “interfering” with his daughters. She said another daughter, 14, bore two children for the father.

From 2008 to July 21, 2012, Sampson-Browne said the unit’s response to dealing with “clients” had increased. The number of victims who contacted the unit for assistance during that period was 2,267. The symposium was hosted by Carol Maharaj of Care One Consultant Services.

The guest speaker was Carolyn Thomas from Texas, US, whose story as a survivor of domestic abuse has been followed worldwide. Thomas appeared on the Maury Show, Larry King and on Oprah, twice. Her ex-boyfriend, who is serving two 30-year life sentences, shot her at point-blank range in December 2003.

Thomas suffered catastrophic facial injuries and was not expected to live. Her mother was also shot and died from her injuries. Sampson-Browne also spoke about another situation where a girl under ten was forced to perform sexual acts on her uncle while her sister remained outside the room.

“Our children are in crisis in Trinidad and Tobago,” she said. She said children were being damaged, destroyed and molested and made to behave as adults by those they trusted.

Source:http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/2012-07-22/victims-and-witness-support-unit-head-our-children-are-crisis

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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.