Dragonfly Centre: Violence Domestic in Nature

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, September 10, 2012

Violence Domestic in Nature

Man stabbed to death in St James

By ALEXANDER BRUZUAL Monday, September 10 2012

A 28-year-old man became the country’s latest murder victim after he was stabbed to death on Saturday night, pushing the country’s murder toll to 293.

Police reported that Assin Wynn was walking along Dundonald Hill, St James, when he got into an altercation with another man.

During the scuffle, Wynn’s assailant managed to obtain a sharp instrument and stabbed the 28-year-old man multiple times in his chest.

Wynn was rushed to the St James Health Facility, however, he was pronounced dead on arrival. Police informed Newsday yesterday that the argument was domestic in nature, and they yet to arrest the assailant.

However, they were confident that the suspect would be arrested within the coming hours as it was said he was known to them.

Wynn was the sixth person to be killed in the space of 19 hours.

The first murder reportedly took place at about 10 pm on Friday.

Kerwin Birchwood, 20, of Phase 1 Powder Magazine, Cocorite was reportedly liming with friends near his home when neighbours heard several loud gunshots. After investigating, Birchwood was found bleeding on the ground. He eventually died on the scene.

Next, at about 1.30 am on Saturday, 18-year-old David Aaron, a construction worker of Guayamare Main Road was stabbed in the chest and died following an argument with two of his neighbours.

Then at about 5 am, Elma Noray — a mother of eight — was shot while sleeping on the ground of her Beverly Hills, Laventille apartment.

Thirty minutes later Ragoonath Sooknanan, 50, of Tumpuna Road, Tunapuna was found slumped mere metres away from his variety store. He had been shot to death.

At about 11 am, Joel “Garlic Sauce” Bodkin, 29, was shot on the roadway near a shop along Straker Village, Laventille.

On Saturday, Minister of National Security Jack Warner was engaged in a seven hour marathon meeting with heads of the Defence Force, TT Police Service, Regiment, TT Prisons Service and other agencies.

The result of this meeting was that 52 new anti-crime measures were hashed out and are expected to be implemented in this country within the coming weeks.

Source: http://www.newsday.co.tt/crime_and_court/0,166046.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.