LIVING SAFE: Remembering domestic violence on Valentine’s Day

By Katherine Cabaniss
  
Valentine’s Day is for celebrating the love in our lives. It is a day for flowers, chocolates, and perhaps even marriage proposals!

For some, love is not always composed of bliss or peace. Domestic violence may occur more often in some relationships than an annual holiday. For some, valentines are not a celebration, but a time for an apology.

Domestic Violence

The Texas Council on Family Violence reports that 114 women were killed in domestic violence murders in 2012. The number represents an increase of about 10 percent since 2011, but was down from a high of 142 victims in 2010.

Also in 2012, there were 188,992 family violence incidents reported. This level of violence is greater than 500 violent acts per day. Because it is believed that only a portion of the incidents that occur are reported, it is likely that the rate of domestic violence occurrences is even greater.

In addition, of the total 16,528 people who sought shelter from the violence, 14534 were children.

Valentine’s Day

Compare these statistics to those of the most romantic day of the year.

More than $18 billion will be spent on Valentine’s Day flowers, candy, and jewelry. And roses — 224 million were grown specifically for the annual event. About 150 million cards will be exchanged.

Even pets get into the act. Of the $130 that each person will spend on Valentine’s Day, about $4 will be for gifts to pets, our animal family members.

Cost comparison

The costs of domestic violence are high. Several categories of costs have been identified. From lost productivity at work due to injury, to actual medical expenses from emergency room visits, to costs of counseling and shelter, domestic violence is an expense that our community currently bears.

Programs to reduce domestic violence have been in existence for years. They have measurable results and successes. Reports and studies indicate that they are cost-effective. Routing our Valentine’s Day and other spending toward those programs that reduce the impact of domestic violence is worthy of our consideration.

This year, celebrate the love in your life. Remember that for many, violence is routine and Valentines are rare.

If you know someone who is suffering in a violent relationship, give them the gift of your support. This Valentine’s Day, reach out to that person who may be suffering in silence. Without judgment or demand, offer your support. Your listening ear may be more valuable than any Valentine they receive.

Make it not only the most romantic day of the year, but also the safest.

Source: http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/fort_bend/opinion/living-safe-remembering-domestic-violence-on-valentine-s-day/article_195ce733-95d2-57aa-8f83-7891bbe6ad2e.html

Stalking and Domestic Violence – It’s Not Just The Victim Who is at Risk

Liora K Photography

Monday, February 3rd, 2014
  
By Nancy Salamone

Domestic Violence Goes to Work.

When the victim has a job and the

abuser stalks them every employee

is at risk.

Leaving an abuser is one of the most dangerous times for a victim. Statistics show, that women who leave their abusers are at a 75% greater risk of being killed by the abuser than those who stay.

When a victim leaves the relationship the abuser fears they are losing control over the victim and need to regain their control and dominance over the victim – hence an abuser may resort to stalking. And if the victim has a job the stalking and harassment can spill over to the workplace.

When I left my husband the one place he knew I would be was at work and obviously he knew where I worked.  He did come to my office but was blocked from entering the building by the security guards who were given instructions not to allow him in the building. It was not until the security guards threatened to call the police that he finally left.

Since he was unable to enter my workplace he then resorted to staking me each day as I was leaving my office. He also began harassing not only me but my co-workers too. He would call all my co-workers and threaten to kill them and me. My co-workers were obviously scared and rightfully feared for their lives.

Thankfully he never harmed any of my co-workers but there are instances where a batterer does gain access to the workplace with the intent to harm not just the victim but other employees too.  In fact Radcliffe Haughton entered the spa in Brookfield, Wisconsin, which is middle to upper class community outside of Milwaukee, where his wife worked and opened fire and shot seven people in the spa – 3 of them fatally.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, data for the year 2003 shows that homicides were the second leading cause of death on the job for women and 15% of the 119 workplace homicides of women were attributed to a current or former husband or boyfriend.

When a victim has a job and the abuser stalks them at work every employee is at risk!
Domestic violence goes to work. So the question is “What are you going to do about it?!

Source: http://www.thebusinessofme.com/stalking-and-domestic-violence-its-not-just-the-victim-who-is-at-risk/

$600 Fine: Licks for Wife, Child

By Nikita Braxton-Benjamin

Story Created: Feb 5, 2014 at 11:59 PM ECT

Story Updated: Feb 6, 2014 at 9:35 AM ECT 

 

A MAN who admitted to assaulting and shaving the hair off the head of his ex-common-law wife and hitting their two-year-old son with a bottle was yesterday fined $600. Imamshah Ali told the court he heard the woman having a conversation with a man and felt disrespected.

The case was determined by San Fernando Ma­gistrate Margaret Alert. She was told at around 8 a.m. on Saturday, the 26-year-old woman, from Tableland, was at the defendant’s home when they got into an argument over a phone call. Ali, 31, of Gasparillo, struck her with a teacup on the right side of her chin. The woman sustained a cut.

 

Police prosecutor Sgt Marlon Bruce said Ali continued quarrelling and prevented the wo­man from leaving. Around 9 a.m. the following day, while sitting in the living room holding their son, Ali slapped her on the face, injuring her mouth. He also hit her on the head, causing swelling to the area.
The court heard Ali also took a shaver and cut the woman’s hair.  He then threw a bottle at her and it hit their son on the right side of the face, causing bruising and swelling. When questioned by Constable Ferriera of the Gasparillo police, Ali said: “Is just a lil scuffle we had.”
 

He was charged with unlawfully assaulting the woman and his son by beating. Ali was also charged with assaulting the mother of his child with a teacup. When asked by the magistrate what the argument had to do with the child, Ali said: “That was an accident.”  He told the magistrate that on Saturday, the woman called him and asked to spend the weekend at his home, and while there, he heard her having a conversation with a man.

“I find that was disrespectful. She can’t come by me and that happening.” Asked why he used violence, Ali said his common-law wife was a “physical woman, too”. He was fined $300 on each of the assault char­ges against his wife and child. On the charge of assaulting the woman with the teacup, Alert said charging him for that offence was “overkill” as it had stemmed from the same incident.
She reprimanded and discharged Ali on that offence.

The $600 fine had to be paid by today or he will serve a month in prison. 

 

Source:  http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/600-fine-licks-for-wife-child-243879151.html 

Julie was Killed by ‘Someone She Knew’

By Susan Mohammed

Story Created: Feb 6, 2014 at 12:04 AM ECT

Story Updated: Feb 6, 2014 at 9:32 AM ECT 

 

Killed: Julie Duke-Guerraro was found Tuesday bound and gagged, with her throat slit.

COUVA mother Julie Duke-Guerraro bled to death from a single fatal stab wound to the neck which may have been inflicted by someone she knew.

Pathologist Dr Valery Alexandrov, who performed a forensic examination yesterday, said there were no other marks of violence on Duke-Guerraro’s body, which suggested she did not resist or try to defend herself.

Duke-Guerraro’s body was discovered bound and blindfolded on Tuesday afternoon in the bedroom of her home at Perth Avenue, Perseverance Village.

The mother of three was found by her brother, Lester Duke, 18, who went to check on her after calls to her cellphone went unanswered during the day and she did not turn up for work as a preschool teacher.

Alexandrov told the Express he believed Duke-Guerraro was asleep when attacked.

“She did not have a single scratch on her body indicative of self-defence or resistance to her killer. 

 

It’s a possibility that she was sleeping when she was tied up and she may have been killed by someone she knew. It’s possible that the perpetrator had access to the house, so there was no fight. But that is for the police to find out,” he said.

Alexandrov said the weapon used had a three-inch single-edge blade, similar to a kitchen knife.
Duke-Guerraro’s mother, Lucy Duke, said the family was baffled by the killing, as her daughter never spoke of feeling threatened or scared of anyone.

She said Duke-Guerraro was married for almost ten years to Dillon Guerraro, but the two separated last year and their relationship was amicable.

Duke-Guerraro was a preschool teacher at Learning Tree Early Childhood Care Centre at Mary Street, Lisas Gardens.

Residents in the area yesterday expressed shock over the death.

The mother said she last saw Duke-Guerraro on Sunday at the christening of a re­lative. “She stayed about half an hour and everything was normal. She brought her children because I didn’t see them in a few days. Everything was normal with her,” she said.

Duke said the family wanted justice for her daughter’s death.

“I want to find out who did this to her and let the law deal with them. I leave everything in the hands of God,” said Duke. 

 

Source: http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/Julie-was-killed-by-someone-she-knew-243880551.html

Couva Mom Tied Up, Throat Slit

Story Created: Feb 4, 2014 at 10:30 PM ECT

Story Updated: Feb 5, 2014 at 11:34 AM ECT 

 

Murdered mother of three: Julie Guerraro

A COUVA mother was found murdered in her bed yesterday, with her hands and feet bound and throat slit.

The body of Julie Guerraro, 33, of Perth Avenue, Perseverance Village, was discovered at around 4.30 p.m.

Guerraro, a mother of three, was a pre-school teacher at Learning Tree Pre-School in Couva.
Police said her body was discovered by her brother, who went to check on her after calls to her cell phone went unanswered.

A party of police officers, led by Ag Snr Supt Johhny Abraham and Sgt Susan John of the Couva CID, visited the scene last night.

Guerraro was the ninth woman to be murdered for the year.

On Monday, 23-year-old Stacy Roopan was shot and killed while walking along the street near her home in Couva on her way to pick up her infant son at a preschool.

Police said the killings are unrelated.

Up to last night, the murder toll for the year to date stood at 54, while the figure at this time last year was 38.
—Susan Mohammed

Source: http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/Couva-mom-tied-up-throat-slit-243608571.html

RAPE HORROR

Gopeesingh: Men 25-40 years old responsible for 2,500 teen pregnancies

By Ria Taitt Political Editor

Story Created: Feb 4, 2014 at 10:45 PM ECT

Story Updated: Feb 4, 2014 at 10:45 PM ECT 

In the senate: Education Minister Dr Tim Gopeesingh

 

There are over 2,500 teen pregnancies each year, most of them for fathers in the 25 to 40 year age group, Education Minister Dr Tim Gopeesingh revealed yesterday. This suggests that many men are getting away with statutory rape.

Furthermore the minister said research at the UWI Faculty of Medical Science had showed that by age 19, more than 1,000 young women had four children already.

This was the “frightening” situation which Gopeesingh outlined as he responded to a question filed by Independent Senator Dr Victor Wheeler, in the Senate yesterday. Gopeesingh said based on his 27 years as a gynaecologist working in the public sector, for every 15 new patients in the ante-natal, 10 are teenagers.

Gopeesingh said the country had to get a handle on the issue of statutory rape because this teenage pregnancy situation cannot continue. “If people (fathers) are apprehended, there might be fear among the perpetrators,” and therefore it could serve as a deterrent to statutory rape, he said.
“It is an issue of socialisation and what these teenagers are looking for. When you question them, even when I was in my own practice...they said they were looking for some degree of love. They felt they were not loved,” he said.

Wheeler’s question had asked about teenage pregnancies among the student population.
Gopeesingh said he was advised by the Ministry that between 2008 and 2012, there were four reported cases of girls attending primary schools who gave birth. One in 2008, two in 2010 and one in 2012. He said all four girls returned to school to complete their primary school education. Three of them completed their secondary education up to form five. He said however that one primary school pupil (the one who gave birth in 2012) did not complete her secondary school education.

He said between 2008 to 2012, the Ministry of Education received reports of 153 cases of teenage pregnancy. He said of the 153 reported cases, approximately 81 girls returned to school and 54 completed their education up to Form five. Of the 153 reported cases,15 lived in Victoria, 52 lived in the district of Port of Spain, 26 in St George East, 44 in Caroni, four in the North-eastern district, three in the South-eastern district and nine in the St Patrick district. Of the 81 who returned to school, eight were from Victoria, 39 from Port of Spain, 20 from St George East, 16 from Caroni. Fifty-four completed up to Form five: five – Victoria, 24 – Port of Spain and environs, 20 – St George East, five – Caroni.

However the ministry said these were only the cases reported to Student Support Services. He said there was under-reporting of teenage pregnancies to the ministry and that many pupils merely dropped out of school. He said the truancy rate in schools was currently 15 per cent. The ministry had not been able to track those pupils who dropped out. “Both Dr Wheeler and myself being gynaecologists and following this over a number of years, the research shows that there are more than 2,500 cases annually of teenage pregnancies.” He said it is important to note that according to statistics from the Central Statistical Office as well, most of these pregnancies occur for gentlemen 25, 30, 35, 40 years old.

Asked what the ministry was doing to address the problem, Gopeesingh said the ministry was reforming the primary school curriculum and the secondary school curriculum. He said morals, values and ethics, character development, citizenry development, physical education, visual and performing arts and health and family life education had been added to this curriculum. He said social studies, with some degree of sex education, formed part of the secondary school programme.

Gopeesingh said there was a strong student support division at the ministry. Cabinet approved the increase of student support personnel to over 762. He said there were more 200 guidance counsellors and close to 100 social workers. He said shortly there would be clinical and educational psychologists as well as behavioural psychologists in the schools. He said the ministry had also begun a “strong parenting approach” in the primary and secondary schools. It had also begun the appointment of local school boards.

Gopeesingh said the ministry provides counselling for those who become pregnant. He said the issue of caring for the children (of teen mothers) was however posing a challenge for the Government. He said already 50 per cent of the mothers in the country were single. “So with a single parent, having a (child who is a) teenage parent, we have a major social problem with absentee grandmothers and absent mothers,” he said. 

 

Source: http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/RAPE-HORROR-243609751.html

Murdered Grande Mom Laid to Rest

 Murdered Grande mom laid to rest

Story Created: Feb 4, 2014 at 10:28 PM ECT

Story Updated: Feb 4, 2014 at 10:28 PM ECT 

 

IMEELIA GOUMEL, 21, who was found dead at her Sangre Grande apartment last week, was laid to rest yesterday. She was initially thought to have committed suicide, but her death has since turned into a murder investigation.

Goumel was seven months’ pregnant at the time of death and the foetus was found next to the mother’s body last Thursday in her apartment at Shepherd Lane, Coalmine, Sangre Grande. Her funeral service was held at Allen’s Funeral Home in Sangre Grande and she was later buried at Toure Cemetery.

On Friday, an autopsy was performed and the initial results were that Goumel bled to death after slitting her wrists.

On Saturday, another autopsy was done at Allen’s in Sangre Grande and it was determined the Youth Training and Employment Partnership Programme (YTEPP) student had been killed.

Last October, Goumel reported to the Sangre Grande police that she was being beaten by a man she knew, despite being four months pregnant at the time.

Police said a few people have been interviewed in relation to Goumel’s death and investigations were on-going. —GG

 

Source: http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/Murdered-Grande-mom-laid-to-rest-243608411.html

Death of a 21-year-old Woman

Autopsy: 21-year-old woman committed suicide

Story Created: Jan 31, 2014 at 9:17 PM ECT

Story Updated: Jan 31, 2014 at 10:10 PM ECT 

 

 THE death of a 21-year-old woman, whose seven-month-old foetus was found next to her body, is being treated as a suicide following a post-mortem at the Forensic Science Centre in Federation Park yesterday.

According to the post-mortem results, the victim killed herself by slitting her wrists.

Her name was Imeelia Goumel. She was a Youth Training and Employment Partnership Programme (YTEPP) student, who lived by herself at an apartment at Shepherd Lane, Coalmine, Sangre Grande.

Her father, Patrick Goumel, did not have much to say yesterday afternoon when telephoned by the Express, only that he last spoke to her about a week and a half ago.

“She was a cool person and I don’t want to say much besides that as she lived with her mom, so as far as I know she was always okay. She had her friends and so on, so I really can’t say how she lived.”

The woman’s body was found sometime on Thursday after neighbours reported a stench emanating from the apartment.

The police were called in and a team of officers along with the apartment’s landlord entered the premises and found Goumel’s semi-nude body lying on the floor in a bedroom. The foetus was near the body.

Police initially thought she had been beaten and left for dead. They believe the body had been there for four days prior to the discovery.

Relatives who were contacted by police said the last time they saw Goumel alive was on Sunday.

 The Express was told that Goumel’s mother is out of the country as she is said to be working on a cruise ship. It was not known if Goumel’s mother was aware of her daughter’s death. 

Pathologist Dr Hughvon Des Vignes concluded that Goumel slit her wrists, following which she bled to death.

Sangre Grande CID and Homicide Bureau officers are continuing investigations.
—Gyasi Gonzales

Source: http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/Autopsy-21-year-old-woman-committed-suicide-243021141.html