Dragonfly Centre: Regional Domestic Violence Conference

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, April 8, 2013

Regional Domestic Violence Conference

Caribarena Antigua

Regional

Monday, 08 April 2013 02:30

By press release

The Inaugural Caribbean Conference on Domestic Violence and Gender Equality - Protecting Women and Girls, presented by the Global Center for Behavioural Health, was held at the Magdalena Grand Hotel, March 25 to 27, in Trinidad & Tobago.

Donna Christensen, US Congresswoman and representative from the US Virgin Islands, was the keynote speaker at the opening reception.

A highlight of the conference was President Barack Obama’s letter of greeting, which was read to conference delegates. Governor Martin O’Malley of the state of Maryland also sent greetings.

There were more than 39 featured speakers and training institute facilitators at the conference, including: Ann Thimothee-Milfort, chief of staff of the President’s Cabinet in Haiti, and Diana Mahabir-Wyatt of PMSL, Dr Edward Greene, UN Secretary General Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS for the Caribbean, Brenda Gopeesingh, Trinidad and Tobago Special Envoy for Women and Girls, and Thomas Smitham, Charge de Affaires and the US Embassy of Trinidad and Tobago.

Speakers discussed issues related to gender-based violence globally and regionally and its relevance to Migration and Human Trafficking, the role of Faith-Based Organizations and the International Labour Organization perspective-Decent Work Agenda. The UN Secretary General Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean discussed Domestic Violence and Gender Equality and the Post 2015 Development Agenda. Men and boys were also at the forefront as speakers discussed the Mind of the Abused and the Abused, Identifying Typologies from Male Partner Violence Treatment Groups and a Training Institute that focused on Health, Mental Health and social Service Providers featuring CariMan, champions for change.

Eleanor Frederick, Public Health Consultant, Founder, and Executive Director of the Antigua & Barbuda HIV/AIDS Network is a member of the Leadership and Planning committee and made a poster presentation titled: Gender and its Relationship to the Incidence of Domestic Violence and HIV in Antigua and Barbuda. She discussed that globally, the double “epidemics” of domestic violence and HIV have gender as a common factor. Frederick said Gender refers to economic, social, political and cultural attributes and opportunities associated with being a woman or a man. Gender is a socio-cultural expression associated with certain groups of people with reference to their sex and sexuality. Domestic violence, include physical, emotional, psychological, religious, sexual, institutional and economic violence and the trauma that results.

Further, Frederick stated that a worldwide 48 population-based survey reported that 10-69 percent of women were physically assaulted by an intimate male partner. Intimate partners commit 40-70 percent of homicides of women worldwide and 1 in 3 women have been beaten and coerced into sex. Abused women may not be comfortable requesting their partners use protection or to refuse sexual advances. Forced sex acts can cause bruises and cuts, which can increase the transmission of HIV.

According to an anonymous and confidential survey administered by Frederick, females reported more incidences of domestic violence than males. However, more HIV+ individuals’ females and males at a rate of 3:1 reported domestic violence as compared to HIV negative individuals. Everyone surveyed who was in same sex relationships reported abuse. Therefore, Frederick believes there is need for a longitudinal large-scale study of gender and its relationship to domestic violence and transmission of HIV in Antigua & Barbuda.

Source: http://www.caribarena.com/antigua/news/regional/244-regional/103591-regional-domestic-violence-conference.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.