Dragonfly Centre: Man Tries To Kill Woman

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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Friday, September 20, 2013

Man Tries To Kill Woman

By CECILY ASSON Thursday, September 19 2013

A DAY after a 47-year-old security guard was released after being arrested for allegedly raping his estranged 30-year-old common-law wife whom he had handcuffed, the man returned to the woman’s La Brea home and attempted to kill her with a cutlass.

He was rearrested yesterday and remains in custody at the La Brea Police Station. The mother of four, was chopped on her left palm. She was treated and discharged from hospital. On Tuesday, Newsday was told, the suspect was released from custody on the instruction of a senior officer in South Western Division.

Police have in their possession, a pair of handcuffs which the man used to restrain the woman as he raped her. The couple were separated for the past two months after the relationship began last November.

Following threats to her life and that of her children, the woman three weeks ago moved in with one of her siblings.

According to police, at about 2.30 pm on Monday, the woman was at home watching television when she was attacked by the man who entered the house armed with a cutlass. The man handcuffed the woman and then raped her. He then left the house.

The suspect was arrested shortly after but was ordered released by a First Division officer even as investigations were ongoing. At 12.10 am yesterday, the man returned to his victim’s home and chopped her. He has since been held and is in custody.

Yesterday, the frightened woman told Newsday she cannot understand why police allowed her attacker to be released after he raped her. “I am even more terrified now because I don’t know what will happen. They might set him free a second time. I am going into hiding.

He is always threatening to kill me and my children,” the woman cried.

Checks with police last night revealed that the man was still in custody and charges are expected to be laid against him soon.

A senior police source said that an investigation would be launched into the claim that a policeman had ordered the suspect released.

Source: http://www.newsday.co.tt/crime_and_court/0,183860.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.