Dragonfly Centre: Single Fathers Body Saddened by Infant Siblings Murder

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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Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Single Fathers Body Saddened by Infant Siblings Murder

More professionals must get involved

Published: Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Yvonne Webb

Molly Castellano, left, consoles her daughter Akilla Myers

after family members viewed the bodies of infant siblings

Keyanna and Omari Myers, who were killed by their father

Barry Karamath in Matura on Sunday. Photo: ABRAHAM DIAZ

President of the Single Fathers Association Rondell Fields is once again appealing for more professional help for fathers who are under stress and pressure, saying this may be critical in preventing another tragedy involving children again. He also called for a return of spiritual values. Referring to the slaying over the weekend of infant siblings Keyanna and Omari Mayers at the hands of their father Barry Karamath, who then took his own life, Fields said many men are living under trying circumstances.

However, he said taking the life of your own children should never be the final outcome. “I want to say to fathers, that could never be the last straw. Taking your children’s life, taking your life, that could never be the last straw,” he said. He told fathers if they cannot work with the mothers of their children, “let the women go,” but to continue to make their presence felt in their children’s life.

“It makes no sense whatsoever to deprive your children of yourself. It makes no sense to say I will take my life and let her keep the children. If you do this, you will be doing them a great injustice or worse, taking their lives,” Fields said. Karamath and the mother of the two children Okilla Myers were separated. Myers subsequently told the media that Karamath was possessive and abusive towards her, but had never shown any form of violence towards the children.

Fields is a member of the Child Protection Task Force, which was set up by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and has been mandated to find the cause of and increased risks of crimes against children. Fields said he has appealed to the PM for proper counselling and support for fathers troubled by domestic situations, but nothing has been done to date.

He said there are a few outreach officers who volunteer their services to the group, but there is need to expand the service and put preventative rather than punitive measures in place for people who are hurting.
Also commenting on the tragedy, which rocked the Toco community on Palm Sunday, was Minister of Gender Youth and Child Development Clifton De Coteau, who said the national family support services will provide counselling for the bereaved families. He said they are also liaising with the Ministry of the People to see what other assistance they can provide to the families.

“It is a sad day for Trinidad and Tobago when such violence could be recorded,” De Coteau said, pointing out that they have to come up with some other alternative dispute resolution for domestic situations like what occurred at Toco. He said the ministry is currently working on treating with domestic violence against women, children and other individuals. He said only recently they got past the domestic registry, which monitors such acts of violence against these individuals.

But clearly, he said, this latest incident demonstrates the need for other ministries to continue working with Community Development on its mitigation centres, parenting caravan initiative and courses for defining male masculinity to find alternative ways to solve disputes.

Source: http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/2014-04-16/more-professionals-must-get-involved

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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.