Dragonfly Centre: Cops release mom of 9

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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Monday, February 9, 2015

Cops release mom of 9

By Carolyn Kissoon

Story Created: Feb 8, 2015 at 10:35 PM ECT

Story Updated: Feb 8, 2015 at 10:35 PM ECT

Mother of nine, Hazel Ann Daniel, a suspect in the murder of Churchill James, was released from police custody on Saturday.

Daniel, a 47-year-old victim of domestic abuse, returned to her children at their Doorbal Road, Brasso Piedra Road, Brasso home.

James, 53, died two Saturdays ago after Daniel threw gasoline on him and set him on fire.
Police said Daniel was at home with a male friend when James, armed with a cutlass, jumped her front gate and forced himself into the house.

She got hold of a brush-cutter and threw the gas from it on James, then used a lighter to set him on fire.

Police officers arrived shortly after and took James to Chaguanas District Health Facility, where he died while undergoing treatment.

After James died, police returned to the house and detained Daniel. A restraining order against James had ended their relationship after some 15 months.

Her attorney, Fareed Ali, said Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Joan Honore-Paul deliberated over the facts for the greater part of some two days before coming to the decision to treat Daniel’s actions as self defence.

Daniel was placed in a holding cell at the Gasparillo police station for the past seven days, as she was subject of a police investigation.

Following her release, Daniel told her attorney she can finally breathe and “felt as free as a bird”.

Daniel, a labourer at the Couva/Tabaquite/Talparo Regional Corporation, had endured months of abuse but was prompted to take out a restraining order against James after he chopped up her dog last October, her attorney said.

Source: http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/Cops-release-mom-of-9-291218821.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.