Dragonfly Centre: $600 Fine: Licks for Wife, Child

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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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Thursday, February 6, 2014

$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

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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.