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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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Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Justice Ministry launches crime Victims’ Handbook

By Camille Hunte
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The Ministry of Justice yesterday launched Trinidad and Tobago’s first-ever Victims’ Handbook during a ceremony at the ministry’s head office at Tower C, International Waterfront Centre, Wrightson Road, Port of Spain.

The handbook provides information on a range of services available to victims of crime, including where they can access counselling, legal aid, and health care.

It also includes information on victims’ rights and how individuals may be eligible for financial and other assistance to help with recovery costs.

Additionally, the booklet provides information on how the criminal justice system in Trinidad and Tobago works, from the time a crime is reported to the police, to when a matter is completed in the courts.

Speaking at yesterday’s event, Minister of Justice Emmanuel George said the handbook heralds the advancement of a more caring and considerate system that connects victims and their loved ones to the information they need to heal and move on.

The handbook is a step toward the development and implementation of a restorative justice system, rather than the current retributive system, George said.

“Restorative justice is an approach to reconciling the harm caused by crime in a manner that promotes accountability and rehabilitation for offenders and healing for victims and communities,” George said. “Under a retributive system, however, the goal is mainly to punish and incarcerate the perpetrator.

“There is perhaps nothing worse than being traumatised in the first instance by a crime perpetrated against you and then being made a victim time and time again as a result of the lack of proper support and care,” he added.

George also announced the ministry is in the process of drafting a Restorative Justice policy.
 

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