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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Tuesday, June 18, 2013

DJ on Domestic Violence Charge

DJ on domestic violence charge

Sunday, June 16 2013

An international DJ and popular soca artiste who was arrested on Friday night will appear tomorrow before a Port-of-Spain Magistrate charged with assaulting his common law wife by beating her.

Police reported the artiste was held at the Belmont Police Station when he went to make a report against the woman, following a dispute they had. At the time, the woman was already at the station making a report against him, and as a result, she positively identified the artiste after he walked in the building.

It was said the couple had an argument over the artiste’s alleged non-payment of child maintenance. During the argument, it was also alleged the two got physical with each other, and the artiste struck the woman several times about her body.

The woman later went to the police station and the artiste was detained, questioned and eventually charged for the offence. He was granted his own bail by a Justice of the Peace in the sum of $1,000 yesterday morning, and will next appear in the Port-of-Spain Magistrates’ Court.

Source: http://www.newsday.co.tt/crime_and_court/0,179212.html

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Soca artiste accused of assaulting wife

Published: Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Radio personality Derek “Mr Slaughter” Pereira appeared in the Port-of-Spain Magistrates Court yesterday accused of assaulting his wife. Pereira, 37, of Salandy Street, Diego Martin, was granted $5,000 bail when he appeared before Magistrate Cheron Raphael in the Third Court charged with assaulting his wife, Axia. Pereira, also a soca artiste, pleaded not guilty. The incident is alleged to have taken place at a nightclub on Dundonald Street, Port-of-Spain, on Saturday night. Pereira was arrested and was granted $1,000 bail by a Justice of the Peace at the Central Police Station. The initial bail amount was reviewed by Raphael during yesterday’s hearing.

After the charge was read court prosecutor Sgt Caren Arthur asked for a condition be attached to his bail to prevent him from contacting his wife. She said special arrangements would have to be made in relation to the couple’s three children. Raphael denied the request but said if she received any valid complaint from Axia, conditions would be attached to the bail. Pereira was represented by defence attorney Ian Brooks. He would reappear before Raphael on September 2.

Meanwhile, A 23-year-old Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) employee appeared in court accused of defrauding his employer of almost $2.4 million. Ravi Samaroo, of John Street, Montrose, Chaguanas, was not called upon to plea to the 83 fraud charges when he appeared before Magistrate Gloria Jasmath, also in the Port-of-Spain court. Jasmath took a little under two hours to read the charges to Samaroo.

After reading them, Jasmath remanded him into custody and ordered him to reappear in the Chaguanas Magistrates Court on Thursday. Samaroo is expected to apply for bail during the next hearing. Samaroo was alleged to have committed the offences at RBC’s Chaguanas branch between March 15 and June 12. Attorney Patrick Godson-Phillip appeared for Samaroo while Sgt Azard Ali was the court prosecuted. The charges were laid by Cpl Vinelle Bassarath of the Fraud Squad.

Source: http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/2013-06-17/soca-artiste-accused-assaulting-wife

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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.