Dragonfly Centre: Family asks: “How come they can’t arrest this man for kidnapping and attempted murder?"

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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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Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Family asks: “How come they can’t arrest this man for kidnapping and attempted murder?"

Kidnap victim’s relatives fear for their lives

By Vashtee Achibar

Wednesday, October 24 2012

Relatives of a woman who was tied to a tree for four days in the Tableland forest by a man are pleading with the police for protection saying they are being threatened by the person who has been abusing her.

Anne Marie Mathura, 43, was rescued by a gardener and has since been taken to a safe house by police. She was reported missing after her mother and sister returned from church one month ago and could not locate her.

On Monday, police told Newsday Mathura’s whereabouts, cannot be revealed to anyone as threats have been made to her life. Mathura is the mother of a teenage daughter.

Mathura’s worried sister Pamela, 41, told Newsday the man in question has been sending threats to her and her mother, Meena, 63. She said she called the Princes Town police to report the matter, but she said she feels the officers are not taking the threats seriously.

“How come they can’t arrest this man for kidnapping and attempted murder? Look at what he did to my sister and he walking all around and driving his vehicle and the police not arresting him. Is like they waiting on him to kill us,” she cried.

“As soon as it get dark, he coming around the house, unless they hold him we cannot lead a normal life, we cannot sleep in peace, every little noise we hear we jump up,” the worried woman said.

On September 28, Mathura was abducted from her parents home at Garth Road, Princes Town, by a man she knew. No one was home at the time she was snatched.

According to reports, Mathura recently broke off a three-year relationship with the man.

Her relatives reported her missing to the Princes Town Police Station, since threats had been made to her life.

Relatives told Newsday yesterday the mother of one disappeared the same day she had visited the police station and obtained a restraining order against the man.

The matter was due for hearing on October 1 and the suspect had been served the summons to appear in court.

For three days, no one saw or heard from her, until October 2, when she was found naked and tied to a tree by a gardener.

She was given clothing and subsequently taken to the Princes Town Police Station. Relatives said police took her to their home on Garth Road before she was whisked away to an unknown destination by the officers.

Princes Town police are continuing investigations.

Source: http://www.newsday.co.tt/crime_and_court/0,168200.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.