TTPS calls on domestic violence victims to seek assistance

Created on Thursday, 06 June 2013 18:57

Published Date 

The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service is calling on all victims of domestic violence, both men and women, to urgently seek assistance from the police.

This follows this week's brutal murder of 29 year old Rehanna Ali who was reportedly chopped to death by a male relative following eight years of mental and physical abuse.

The former waitress was found dead with her head almost severed in a one-room apartment at Spring Trace, Quarry Village, Siparia.

According to newspaper reports, Ms. Ali's mother, 47 year old Myroon Gafoor, and other family members said Ms. Ali was suicidal and was often beaten and burnt by the accused.

TTPS Public Information Officer ASP Joanne Archie is urging victims of domestic abuse to come forward to the police before it's too late.

"You cannot wait until these incidents end in maybe death in some cases as we have seen. So we are asking persons in an abusive relationship, try as far as possible to get out of it. The police are there. We provide counseling as well in the different Divisions and you can access those services. Call the police, we are always ready and willing to assist."

From 2001 to 2011, on average, 25 persons were murdered each year as a result of domestic violence.

ASP Archie assured that officers are capable of dealing with the recent upsurge in domestic abuse.

"We have been dealing with these matters and from time to time reports are being made concerning domestic violence. Police officers are trained in domestic violence, we also have the Victim and Witness Support Unit that provides counseling services to these victims."

However, Chair of the Coalition Against Domestic and Gender-Based Violence and former Independent Senator, Diana Mahabir-Wyatt, believes there needs to be a better approach to dealing with domestic violence rather than just reacting whenever a tragic case such as Rehanna's arises.
She said this will include providing more resources for the Police Victim and Witness Support Unit.

"One woman in every three or four in Trinidad, during the course of her lifetime, has suffered some sort of abuse and what we need to do in order for women to avoid those situations and get out of them is that we need to have education from young. So they don't get into those relationships and if they do, they get out of them."

There are a number of Domestic Abuse Drop-in Centres which offer counseling and other forms of intervention to victims or perpetrators of domestic violence.
Persons can also call the National Domestic Violence Hotline 800-SAVE or 800-7283.

Written by C News 

 

Source: http://www.ctntworld.com/cnews2/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5302:ttps-calls-on-domestic-violence-victims-to-seek-assistance&catid=137&Itemid=707