Dragonfly Centre: CoP: No upsurge in crime

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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Thursday, July 23, 2015

CoP: No upsurge in crime

Published on Jul 19, 2015, 8:58 pm AST
Stories by Elizabeth Williams

Acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams yesterday said there's been no upsurge in crime and there have been fewer murders this year than last year.

Williams gave this information in response to questions from the media on the recent daily increase in murders in the country.

He spoke in Plymouth, Tobago, at the fifth in a series of walks against domestic violence, organised by the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service.

Last Thursday, four members of one family were killed in Chatham, South Trinidad.

The Commissioner said there have been fewer robberies, fewer break-ins, fewer thefts of motor vehicles, along with rapes and sexually related offences.

Williams said, “In Trinidad and Tobago there is no upsurge in crime. We have had several murders over the last few days but we have had less murders in 2015 than we would have had in 2014.”

Williams also said he remained optimistic the case involving the May 4, 2014 murder of Dana Seetahal SC would soon be concluded, however “there are some challenges”.

Since Seetahal's murder, no one has been brought before the courts on the matter.

“It has been a challenging investigation. It's one where the issue of IC witnesses is not a feature heavily based on matters of technology, and is one which will bring out a totally new look in the context of the Police Service, and its capacity and capability to investigate crime.”

Domestic violence

There have been 25 reported cases of domestic violence in Tobago to date, five of those males, according to Acting Senior Superintendent of Police Tobago Joanne Archie .

Deputy Commissioner of Police Ann- Marie Alleyne-Daly said there have been a number of domestic violence deaths in the country.

“In 2012, there were 19 such deaths, in 2013, twenty-three, in 2014, twenty-seven, and we are half-way through the year and so far there have been 10 deaths,” she said.

There have been 295 reports of physical abuse, and 210 reports of threats to date. Five more walks against domestic violence are planned for Trinidad. See Page 19

Source: http://www.trinidadexpress.com/20150719/news/cop-no-upsurge-in-crime

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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.