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, August 17, 2012

Constable Held for Girlfiend's Murder

Constable held for girlfriend’s murder

Published: Saturday, August 18, 2012

Derek Achong

Sangre Grande Police Station

A 40-year-old police constable has been detained after he reportedly chopped his female companion to death during a domestic dispute at her home in Sangre Grande, on Thursday night. According to police reports, around 10.30 pm, residents of an apartment building in Guaico complained of hearing screams from an apartment occupied by the constable’s 23-year-old girlfriend.

The landlord checked the apartment shortly after but the door was locked. Police said the landlord peeked through an open window and saw the woman lying unconscious on the floor with several large gashes on her head. The landlord told investigators that while looking through the window he saw a man exiting the back door of the woman’s apartment.

Sangre Grande police responded and several hours later they arrested the policeman at his house in Sangre Grande. The woman was chopped several times on the head and her body bore marks of violence, which police believe came from a struggle with her attacker. The officer was being interrogated by homicide detectives up to late yesterday. He is currently not on active duty after being sent on injury leave. He was said to be in a relationship with the woman for the past few months.

Investigators were yesterday trying to determine the cause of the couple’s argument, but said the couple was known to engage in heated rows. The murder toll for the year thus far now stands at 257. ASP Neville Sankar, Insp Lynford Coggins and acting Insp Wayne Lawrence of the Region Two Homicide Bureau are investigating.

Source: http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/2012-08-18/constable-held-girlfriend%E2%80%99s-murder

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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.