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, March 13, 2013

Rape, Incest Rampant in Central Trinidad

Rape, incest rampant in Central Trinidad

Story Created: Mar 11, 2013 at 9:56 PM ECT

Story Updated: Mar 12, 2013 at 8:50 PM ECT

'stiffer penalties': Chief Justice Ivor Archie speaks to attorney

Dana Seetahal SC during yesterday's "Violence Against Children"

conference at Hyatt Regency in Port of Spain.

Photo: ISHMAEL SALANDY

There have been more than 200 reported cases of incest, rape and sexual abuse for the year to date in Central Trinidad.

Last year, Central Trinidad also recorded the highest number of reported cases of rape, incest and sexual abuse in Trinidad and Tobago.

The statistics were revealed yesterday by Margaret Sampson-Browne, director of the Police Service Victim and Witness Support Unit, at the "Violence Against Children" conference at Hyatt Regency in Port of Spain.

"We have had almost 800 clients coming to us from central...including Chaguanas, Couva, and those outlining areas in central.

"It is now quite evident that child abuse is becoming rampant in our country," she added, noting that the children of the nation are under attack by sexual predators, who must be jailed.

"The reality is the adult men use their penis on little children— anal sex, oral sex and vaginal sex and it's happening," said Sampson-Browne, who stressed the need to "design a social network, a crisis management information service, so in a crisis like this people shouldn't wonder where I have to go...people should just fall in to work with them".

She said the Children's Authority Act has no impact on the criminals.

Senior Counsel Dana Seetahal also agreed.

She said if you neglect a child by suffocating the child to death, under the Children's Authority Act, the criminal, if given a summary offence, is fined $5,000 or six months' imprisonment.

"The act talks about burning of children negligently, but you know what I think about that...the penalty for that is $400.

"Also if a child is injured, so much so that the child loses sight, hearing or a limb...the law states that for summary offences, the perpetrator can be fined $5,000 or six months' imprisonment. However, under the Offences against a Person Act, the perpetrator can get life imprisonment.

"I had to go to Toco...a father and a son sexually abused the child, the community turned against her, the grandmother turned against her...she had to go by a friend," said Seetahal.

Both Sampson-Browne and Seetahal are calling for the Children's Authority Act to be re-visited and for stiffer penalties to be enforced.

Sampson-Browne noted that they have already submitted a proposal to acting Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams for a children's task force. She said police officers who are a part of this force will receive special training. —TV6 News

Source: http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/Rape__incest_rampant_in_Central_Trinidad-197243601.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.