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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Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Violence Still Pressing Issue

Rambachan: Violence still pressing issue

Published: Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Melissa Doughty

Acting Health Minister Dr Suruj Rambachan said yesterday approximately 2,300 of the world’s children die daily from injury-related complications. He was speaking at the launch of the national stakeholder workshop to develop a strategic planning for injuries, violence prevention and control. The event was held at the Hilton Trinidad and Conference Centre.

Guests included representatives of Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) members of the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and Brent Batson, of the National Road Safety Council. He said according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) approximately 1.5 million people die yearly as a consequence of violence.

“Even within the 21st-century, with the development of new technologies and a greater expanse of education to the masses, injury and violence is still a pressing global issue,” he added. Citing injury-related deaths as one of the most challenging global health issues of this century, Rambachan said five million people die from injury-related incidents yearly. He said over the last 15 years, legislation was passed to help prevent violence and injury-related deaths.

The legislation included:
• Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act 2007
• Domestic Violence Act 1999
•Offences against the Person (Amendment) (Harassment) Act 2005
• Occupational Safety and Health Act 2004.

Rambachan also called for greater public awareness of the issue. The workshop also looked at a situation analysis of injury and violence in T&T, unintentional-injury prevention and the global decade of action for road safety 2011-2020 and other issues.

Source: http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/2012-12-05/rambachan-violence-still-pressing-issue

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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.