Dragonfly Centre: “FROM VICTIMS TO VICTORS”- BUILDING AN INDEPENDENT SELF from August 27-30 2012.

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, August 5, 2012

“FROM VICTIMS TO VICTORS”- BUILDING AN INDEPENDENT SELF from August 27-30 2012.

We are very excited about this upcoming event:

The Victims and Witness Support Unit of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service presents its 4 day conference “FROM VICTIMS TO VICTORS”- BUILDING AN INDEPENDENT SELF from August 27-30 2012.

This is a groundbreaking conference on meeting the needs of victims. Individuals and communities are affected by a wide range of crimes such as family and sexual violence, terrorism, break and enter, homicide, fraud, home invasion, elder abuse, road trauma and armed robbery.
The conference will bring together delegates to discuss what research tells us about victims' rights and needs in all their diversity. Delegates will exchange ideas and solutions, examine promising practices and discuss challenges in meeting the needs of victims of crime. It will be a unique experience that emphasizes a multidisciplinary approach to sharing promising practices, current research, and effective programs and policies that are victim-centered, practice-based, and research-informed.
Participants may come filled with trepidation or uncertainty but leave FULL of inspiration to fulfill their personal aspirations. This underscores the conference theme “FROM VICTIMS TO VICTORS”- BUILDING AN INDEPENDENT SELF” whereby attendees will leave empowered with critical skills and knowledge to help them positively progress on their personal journey to self fulfillment, forgiveness and healing.

TARGET GROUPS

Trainers/support providers to Victims of Crime
All Stakeholders who are in some way involved in the Victims and Witness Experience

CONFERENCE OBJECTIVES

Providing a platform for 21st Century Policing Perspective specific to Honoring and Listening to Victim/Survivor Voices: Putting Victims First; Creating victim-centered/sensitive responses; and promoting peer to peer learning opportunities.
Promoting Safety, Justice and Healing: Highlighting the Resiliency of the Healing Success of our Communities.
Fostering caring communities to promote members’ wellbeing
Promoting Traditional Values and Incorporating Traditional Skills in Crime Victim Services based on “The Matelot Experience Model.” Upholding wellness- mentally, physically, spiritually and emotionally, using the hierarchy of needs- food, shelter, safety
Working in Harmony to develop a Critical Incident Social Management System: Developing community partnerships to strengthen services, such as partnering with technology experts, and networking with communities to address incidences of crime. Creating a National database of support services.
Empowering support personnel to provide professional service in an effective manner
Creating a safe space for open sharing and policy development

CONFERENCE PROGRAM

Major themes for the conference include:

Effective ways of giving victims a voice
What works and why in addressing the needs of victims in the criminal justice system, e.g. investigation, court processes, restorative justice and support needs
Understanding and addressing the needs of victims
The effectiveness of counseling as a means of healing for the victim
Collaboration and strategic partnerships—what works between governments, non-government and private sectors

Take a look at the CONFERENCE AGENDA or REGISTER HERE. You can also BECOME A SPONSOR if you APPLY HERE.

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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.