Dragonfly Centre: 6,200 Calls to Domestic Violence Hotline

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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Saturday, November 28, 2015

6,200 Calls to Domestic Violence Hotline

By Darcel Choy Thursday, November 26 2015

IN THE last five years, from October, 2010 to September, 2015, the National Domestic Violence Hotline received 6,200 calls. Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister (Gender and Child Affairs) Ayanna Webster-Roy revealed the figures yesterday at the official launch of the Information Fairs/Exhibitions in commemoration of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

The exhibition took place on the Brian Lara Promenade, Port-of-Spain.

She also disclosed for the period October, 2014 to September, 2015, the Hotline reported 965 client calls during which 86.8 percent of that came from women. She said the figures showed those persons who were brave enough to make the call, and reach out for help.

“Consider for a moment the thousands who do not yet have that courage. It is for those persons that our public education and service delivery efforts must never cease. This includes the establishment and enforcement of appropriate legislation facilitation of easy access to all supportive services, and empowerment of our people,” she said. Webster-Roy said the government will be the fiercest proponents of greater empowerment of women. She said their efforts include advocacy, gender mainstreaming and training in gender mainstreaming, and training in gender-responsive budgeting across the Government Ministries. Also, the provision of skills training for women to increase their marketability within male-dominated fields.

The National Commission for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment, or the National Women Commission will be established, and the Women’s City Centre Project will be implemented in South and North Trinidad.

We will also increase the number of safe houses, shelters and transition homes for victims/survivors using various initiatives with appropriate standards, and guidelines to monitor and evaluate their operations,” she said.

The minister said government will also incorporate gender perspectives in all activities of government and civil society, starting with the collection and collation of sex-disaggregated data, and conduction of gender aware research.

“We will facilitate the full and equal participation of men and women in the development process of policies and governance in consideration of the different needs, constraints, opportunities and priorities of men and women,” she said. She added that future consultations will be held on the National Policy on Gender and Development.

Webster-Roy said citizens must work together to ensure that there are no more murder-suicides, “no more broken marriages because of broken bones, no more hidden bruises and hidden shames.

We have to encourage our family members, our friends, our co-workers to be willing to step up and report violations taking place.”

Source:http://www.newsday.co.tt/news/0,220435.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.