Ending Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault in the United States | The White House

Lynn Rosenthal

March 20, 2014
01:13 PM EDT

This week, I was honored to join a first-of-its-kind meeting at the White House: a roundtable of business leaders and advocates called upon to discuss building public-private partnerships aimed at helping end domestic violence and sexual assault in the United States. The meeting served as an opportunity to share strategies and concrete steps companies can take to address violence in their workplaces and communities.

During the gathering, we heard from several companies that are working to improve the status quo, including Avon, Macy’s, Allstate, Viacom, and Kaiser Permanente.

The need for action could not be more urgent. According to the Centers for Disease Control, one in five women is the victim of rape or attempted rape in her lifetime. In fact, 60% of Americans 15 years of age or older know a victim of domestic violence or sexual assault.

Not only does domestic violence affect victims and families; it can also harm entire communities and the nation. More than 8 million paid days of work are lost every year because of domestic violence, and even by conservative estimates, domestic violence costs our economy more than $8 billion a year in lost productivity, health, and mental health costs alone.

Since day one, the Obama administration has worked hard to combat violence against women. Vice President Biden has championed many of the administration’s efforts, including helping create new campaigns to reach teens and young adults, and working to build new initiatives to reduce domestic violence homicides. And to lead by example, President Obama has directed federal agencies to develop policies to address domestic violence and sexual assault in the federal workforce. Recently, President Obama established the White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault.

The White House’s commitment coincides with NO MORE’s goal of bringing together corporations to increase support for domestic violence and sexual assault programs. A collaboration of corporations and nonprofit organizations, NO MORE seeks to normalize the conversation around these issues and end the stigma, shame, and silence of domestic violence and sexual assault. Bringing the NO MORE campaign to White House for this important conversation was a reminder that working together can help end violence against women.

The spirit of yesterday’s gathering can be summed up by something President Obama once said about domestic violence:

We need to make sure every victim of domestic violence knows that they are not alone; that there are resources available to them in their moment of greatest need. And as a society, we need to ensure that if a victim of abuse reaches out for help, we are there to lend a hand. This is not just the job of government. It’s a job for all of us.

Lynn Rosenthal is the White House Advisor on Violence Against Women.

Source: www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2014/03/20/ending-domestic-violence-and-sexual-assault-united-states

Hazel: Stop the Violence

By Anna Ramdass

Story Created: Jan 15, 2013 at 10:16 PM ECT

Story Updated: Jan 16, 2013 at 3:40 PM ECT 

 

Gender-based violence is on the rise in this country and it must be stopped.

This, according to Hazel Brown, head of the network of Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) of Trinidad and Tobago for the Advancement of Women.

In a release to the press, Brown affirmed the continuing need to deal with gender-based violence as it occurs at all levels of the society, to break the silence and oppose the impunity around it.

She stated that a second form of violence “is inflicted on women by the fact that perpetrators who hold high office or who are public figures, rarely face any form of justice. They know that they can do it without paying the price”.

“We continue to advocate for individual and collective responses by men that move beyond apologies to actually formulating and participating in processes of transformation and change. We must examine the root causes and the impact of gender-based violence including verbal and emotional abuse, and we most develop strategies to address it including appropriate sanctions, legal and otherwise,” stated Brown.

She added that it is not just the individual perpetrator, who must be held accountable, but also the community and the state, which cannot stand idly by and watch women being denied support and justice in their time of need.

Brown stated that there is much that could be done to enable men in public office to lead a reflective conversation on masculinity and violence.

Source: http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/Hazel-Stop-the-violence-187051901.html

Domestic Violence Help

Story Created: Jan 5, 2014 at 8:54 PM ECT  

Story Updated: Jan 5, 2014 at 8:56 PM ECT  

Head of the T&T Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the Rape Crisis Centre Diana Mahabir Wyatt says the incident reported last night in Longdenville of a woman stabbing to death a man accused of abusing her...is just one of many cases where domestic violence turns fatal.

She says a special child abuse and domestic violence unit should be established within the police service.

Although the police service already has a community police unit and a victim and witness support unit under its ambit, she says both units are understaffed and inadequate.

Mrs. Mahabir-Wyatt says not enough is being done to protect women in spite of the Domestic Violence Act.

 

Source: http://www.trinidadexpress.com/videos/-Domestic-Violence-Help---238802211.html

Strangled Mom Cremated

Tuesday, March 11 2014

 

Weeping son: Relatives console Brent Murgan during the funeral of his mother Marilyn Murgan at the family home in Carapichaima yesterday. ...

“MY baby did not deserve this,” Somaria Murgan said as she sobbed over the coffin of her daughter, Marilyn, who was strangled at her home in Carapichaima, a week ago on Carnival Tuesday.

Marilyn, a mother of four, was strangled by her common-law husband Harold Ali, who drank a poisonous substance and died a day later. 

Murgan said she had worked so hard to “mind her daughter” and now her life was snuffed away. The funeral service was held at the family’s home at Wyaby Road off Waterloo Road, Carapichaima. Delivering the eulogy, relative Elsa Anderson said Marilyn had set an example for others in the way she carried about herself. “Marilyn was a mother, daughter, aunty and best friend. We all loved her and she loved us. Marilyn even though we don’t have you here, you would always be remembered,” she said. Anderson said to many Marilyn was like a “fairy godmother” always helping others in times of need. 

After the funeral, Marilyn’s body was cremated at the Waterloo Cremation Site.

Source: http://www.newsday.co.tt/crime_and_court/0,191723.html

Relative Arrested

By CECILY ASSON Monday, March 10 2014

 

AFTER spending several days on the run, during which he telephoned death threats to his own family, police yesterday arrested the man who stabbed to death his relative Knolly Hudlin, 62.

Anxious relatives yesterday breathed a sigh of relief following the capture of the 39-year-old suspect in the murder of Hudlin who was a contractor. Police reported that he was arrested at about 3.45 am at an unfinished house at McNish Trace, Hindustan in New Grant. He was reportedly being given food and clothes by friends living in the area. Hudlin of Penal Rock Road, Penal was stabbed to death at his home on Carnival Tuesday by a close male relative who had a restraining order taken out against him in January by family members.

Hudlin’s death according to a post mortem, was due to a single stab wound to the heart.

Since the incident the suspect who was employed in the family business had been on the run.

According to police sources, acting on a tip off yesterday, a team of police officers led by Insp Granger and including Sgts Ramsingh and Victor, Cpls George and Ganesh and PCs Nanan, Singh and Cooper of the Penal CID went to a house in New Grant where they found the suspect.

Officers of the San Fernando CID also assisted in the exercise. Charges are expected to be laid later this week against the suspect. Speaking to Newsday yesterday, a relative said: “We are feeling safe now that he is in custody. He had been calling us and threatening us with murder. He needs to remain behind bars.”

Hudlin will be buried today at Batchiya Cemetery in Penal, following a funeral service at Belgrove’s Funeral Chapel, Coffee Street, San Fernando. Investigations are continuing.

Source:  http://www.newsday.co.tt/crime_and_court/0,191687.html

NPTA chief: Zero tolerance against abuse of children

Programme to help youths launched

By Michelle Loubon

Story Created: Feb 13, 2014 at 10:47 PM ECT

Story Updated: Feb 14, 2014 at 7:04 PM ECT 

 

rce: too many cases”: Zena Ramatali

“We are saying zero tolerance against abuse of children.”
Zena Ramatali, president of the National Parent/Teachers’ Association of Trinidad and Tobago (NPTA) made this comment Wednesday during the launch of the Family Planning Association of Trinidad and Tobago (FPATT) programme titled “Integrating Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Services with Sexual and Reproductive Health Services for Young People” at Hyatt Regency, Wrightson Road, Port of Spain,
Ramatali also said sex education should be properly taught in the curriculum.
A special feature of the launch was the signing among stakeholders including Gerard Latulippe, High Commissioner for Canada.
Canada has donated about Cda$25,000 to eliminating GBV.
A public media campaign highlighting domestic violence will follow soon.
Ramatali said: “We are saying ‘zero tolerance’ to abuse against children. We are saying ‘zero tolerance’ to rape, incest and violence.
“Too many cases are swept under the carpet. Too many girls are being abused.
“Children and women are dying. Too many older men are impregnating younger girls. We must not make any apologies for them. They must feel the brunt of the law.
“They are endangering the lives of our young children. They are committing incest. There has to be a move to protect children in a meaningful way.
“It is time to report cases of abuse.”
While the authorities are calling upon citizens, including doctors and teachers, to report abuse, Ramatali said: “Teachers are afraid to report for fear of victimisation. Teachers are fearful for their safety. We trust the law will protect them.”
On Tuesday night, Ramatali said she received a report about an abuse case in a school.
She said: “The teacher failed to report it. The child was sexually assaulted by another student from the school. The child is now out of school.
“I hope it will be reported within the next 24 hours. The incident happened last year October. It is a sad day. These things have been happening all the time.”
Ramatali said she is yet to receive a copy of the new curriculum. But Ramatali said teachers and principals need training in delivering the new curriculum.
They also need specialised attention with regarding to delivering sex education which is not officially on the curriculum.
She also said sex education has to be taught properly.
On the issue of the new curriculum and sex education, Ramatali said: “I understand the curriculum does not cater indepth on sex education.
“What we are saying is the Ministry of Education could partner with the Ministry of Health to deliver sex education to our students.
“Teachers don’t feel comfortable to deliver sex education. So to avoid any misunderstanding, bring in resource personnel to teach sex education in our schools to both primary and secondary students.
“Students need education to give them choices. They need to understand the value of abstinence and why they should not engage in sexual activity at a young age.
“In the event that somebody touches them in an inappropriate manner, they will be able to report it or tell someone.”
Ramatali added: “I hope the new curriculum will deliver sex education for primary schools. There is nothing there that says they have sex education.
“They have sections pertaining to puberty which the teachers are concerned about.
“The ministry has not said it will allow sex education by itself to be taught in schools. We have to look at how can teachers be trained to properly deal and recognise child abuse.”
Ramatali said she understood the new curriculum included components like values and character education.
She also advised teachers who have been abused to seek help. She cited the most recent example of former Tobago school principal David Smith who appeared in court on Monday to answer 14 sex charges.
She said: “This is a wake-up call for teachers. They could seek help to be able to cope with trauma in their lives.”
Asked about the FPATT Gender Based Violence programme launch, Ramatali said: “I think it is an excellent initiative. I am blessed to have been here today to see the FPATT take another positive step towards eliminating violence against women and children.” 

 

Source: http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/NPTA-chief-Zero-tolerance-against-abuse-of-children-245471561.html

 

Akousa Bares Her Soul

By Cecily Asson Sunday, March 9 2014

BROUGHT to her knees after losing everything which she believed was most important and later shocked into reality that life was more than a husband, a house, a car and academic degrees, Trinidad-born Akosua Dardaine-Edwards, 39, an internationally known advocate for the empowerment and development of women has returned home to tell her story. On Wednesday, she will launch her first book What Did I Learn Today? Lessons on the Journey to Unconditional Self Love at National Library and Information System (NALIS) in Port of Spain..

What Did I Learn Today? Lessons on the Journey to Unconditional Self Love charts Dardaine-Edwards’s journey from a shy and self conscious child to a mature, self confident woman through the realisation that unconditional self love is the key to this transformation.

According to Dardaine-Edwards, the lessons learnt in Northern Uganda where she spent the last 15 months working with women who experienced 27 years of civil war, was enough to make her wake up and accept herself for who she is and show that she is “not the victim of anything.” She only returned home in January. Dardaine-Edwards told Sunday Newsday: “Coming from the western world, going into a situation (northern Uganda) where there is extreme poverty I have never seen before, I personally thought that I was going to be the one to go there and help them and be someone that they come too, to help change things.” It turned out, she said, that “I changed.” The resilience of the women, many of them who were at the time “child soldiers” during the war made her see life from a different perspective, she said.

After 27 years of war, those women found ways to be happy within “their circumstances,” she said. In her book Dardaine-Edwards, an accountant by profession, tells of her childhood years growing up in Simpson Brown Terrace, Cocoyea, her going abroad to study, her failed marriage and the ability to re-discover just who she is.

“I was never planning on writing a book,” Dardaine-Edwards said, “All I was doing at the time was just detailing all my thoughts — just journaling my different journeys of what I have been through in my life...

“The time has definitely come for me to show up as myself.”

Source: http://www.newsday.co.tt/news/0,191642.html

Family Wants Separate Funerals for Murdered Mom, Killer Dad

By Susan Mohammed

Story Created: Mar 6, 2014 at 9:10 PM ECT

Story Updated: Mar 6, 2014 at 11:12 PM ECT 

 

THE family of slain Carapichaima mother Marilyn Murggan wants a funeral service for her separate from her husband, Harold Ali, who confessed to killing her before he committed suicide. 

Murggan’s son, Christopher Sudansingh, told the Express yesterday  he and his siblings were finding it difficult to come to terms with the circumstances under which their mother died. 

Sudansingh, 32, said: “We are not coping well. We are still in shock. My sisters do not want a joint funeral. They cannot come to terms with what he did.” 

Sudansingh said he discovered his mother’s body in the bathroom of her home at Wyaby Road, Waterloo, on Carnival Tuesday. 

An autopsy performed yesterday by Dr Valery Alexandrov found the 50-year-old mother of four suffered manual strangulation and there were vague imprints of fingernails on her neck. 

Alexandrov also performed the autopsy on Ali, also 50, and confirmed that he ingested a poisonous substance, a herbicide.
Ali died at San Fernando General Hospital on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, he telephoned one of his daughters and confessed to killing Murggan and said he was going to drink poison. Hours later he was found lying in a drain in Victoria Street, Gasparillo. 

Of his mother’s relationship with Ali, Sudansingh said they had lived together for almost four years and Ali was never violent to her. 

Sudansingh said on Carnival Monday his mother sold drinks from a bar in front of their home. He said he was told that later that night villagers heard the couple quarrelling and Ali left the house in his vehicle.

“This is very shocking. They had their usual quarrels but there was never violence. He cared for my mother a lot,” said Murggan’s son. 

Funeral arrangements were being made for the weekend. 

Source: http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/Family-wants-separate-funerals-for-murdered-mom-killer-dad-248923311.html

Killer Dies in Hospital

By LAUREL V WILLIAMS Thursday, March 6 2014

A DAY after he strangled his common-law wife at their home in Carapichaima, Harold Ali died at hospital yesterday morning where he was warded after he drank a poisonous substance shortly after committing the murder.

Ali, police sources said, managed to telephone his relatives to whom he confessed to killing mother of four Marilyn “Maro” Murggan, 50, on Carnival Tuesday. Murggan, a CEPEP worker of Wyaby Road off Waterloo Road in Carapichaima, was found dead on the floor of her bathroom at about 6.15 am on Tuesday.

Ali, who lived with Murggan and other relatives in the house, fled the scene shortly after her body was discovered. Police said he later telephoned relatives telling them that he had strangled Murggan. Shortly after, officers of the Gasparillo Police Station found Ali lying on Victoria Street, frothing from the mouth.

The officers rushed Ali to the San Fernando General Hospital where the 50-year-old man was warded in critical condition and died yesterday at about 2 am, while under police guard.

Murggan’s sister Susan Sincere told Newsday that although other relatives were inside the house, no one heard any commotion from the couple. She noted that relatives became aware of the incident only when Ali’s relatives arrived at the house and told them that Ali had just called from a cellular phone to say he had just killed Murggan.

Police and ambulance personnel were contacted and subsequently took Murggan, a grandmother of one, to the Couva District Health Facility where she was pronounced dead on arrival.

Autopsies are expected to be performed today on the bodies of Murggan and Ali at the Forensic Science Centre in St James. Sincere noted that she did know too much about Ali and confirmed that both autopsies are to be done today. Investigations are continuing.

Source: http://www.newsday.co.tt/crime_and_court/0,191514.html

LIVING SAFE: Remembering domestic violence on Valentine’s Day

By Katherine Cabaniss
  
Valentine’s Day is for celebrating the love in our lives. It is a day for flowers, chocolates, and perhaps even marriage proposals!

For some, love is not always composed of bliss or peace. Domestic violence may occur more often in some relationships than an annual holiday. For some, valentines are not a celebration, but a time for an apology.

Domestic Violence

The Texas Council on Family Violence reports that 114 women were killed in domestic violence murders in 2012. The number represents an increase of about 10 percent since 2011, but was down from a high of 142 victims in 2010.

Also in 2012, there were 188,992 family violence incidents reported. This level of violence is greater than 500 violent acts per day. Because it is believed that only a portion of the incidents that occur are reported, it is likely that the rate of domestic violence occurrences is even greater.

In addition, of the total 16,528 people who sought shelter from the violence, 14534 were children.

Valentine’s Day

Compare these statistics to those of the most romantic day of the year.

More than $18 billion will be spent on Valentine’s Day flowers, candy, and jewelry. And roses — 224 million were grown specifically for the annual event. About 150 million cards will be exchanged.

Even pets get into the act. Of the $130 that each person will spend on Valentine’s Day, about $4 will be for gifts to pets, our animal family members.

Cost comparison

The costs of domestic violence are high. Several categories of costs have been identified. From lost productivity at work due to injury, to actual medical expenses from emergency room visits, to costs of counseling and shelter, domestic violence is an expense that our community currently bears.

Programs to reduce domestic violence have been in existence for years. They have measurable results and successes. Reports and studies indicate that they are cost-effective. Routing our Valentine’s Day and other spending toward those programs that reduce the impact of domestic violence is worthy of our consideration.

This year, celebrate the love in your life. Remember that for many, violence is routine and Valentines are rare.

If you know someone who is suffering in a violent relationship, give them the gift of your support. This Valentine’s Day, reach out to that person who may be suffering in silence. Without judgment or demand, offer your support. Your listening ear may be more valuable than any Valentine they receive.

Make it not only the most romantic day of the year, but also the safest.

Source: http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/fort_bend/opinion/living-safe-remembering-domestic-violence-on-valentine-s-day/article_195ce733-95d2-57aa-8f83-7891bbe6ad2e.html

Stalking and Domestic Violence – It’s Not Just The Victim Who is at Risk

Liora K Photography

Monday, February 3rd, 2014
  
By Nancy Salamone

Domestic Violence Goes to Work.

When the victim has a job and the

abuser stalks them every employee

is at risk.

Leaving an abuser is one of the most dangerous times for a victim. Statistics show, that women who leave their abusers are at a 75% greater risk of being killed by the abuser than those who stay.

When a victim leaves the relationship the abuser fears they are losing control over the victim and need to regain their control and dominance over the victim – hence an abuser may resort to stalking. And if the victim has a job the stalking and harassment can spill over to the workplace.

When I left my husband the one place he knew I would be was at work and obviously he knew where I worked.  He did come to my office but was blocked from entering the building by the security guards who were given instructions not to allow him in the building. It was not until the security guards threatened to call the police that he finally left.

Since he was unable to enter my workplace he then resorted to staking me each day as I was leaving my office. He also began harassing not only me but my co-workers too. He would call all my co-workers and threaten to kill them and me. My co-workers were obviously scared and rightfully feared for their lives.

Thankfully he never harmed any of my co-workers but there are instances where a batterer does gain access to the workplace with the intent to harm not just the victim but other employees too.  In fact Radcliffe Haughton entered the spa in Brookfield, Wisconsin, which is middle to upper class community outside of Milwaukee, where his wife worked and opened fire and shot seven people in the spa – 3 of them fatally.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, data for the year 2003 shows that homicides were the second leading cause of death on the job for women and 15% of the 119 workplace homicides of women were attributed to a current or former husband or boyfriend.

When a victim has a job and the abuser stalks them at work every employee is at risk!
Domestic violence goes to work. So the question is “What are you going to do about it?!

Source: http://www.thebusinessofme.com/stalking-and-domestic-violence-its-not-just-the-victim-who-is-at-risk/

$600 Fine: Licks for Wife, Child

By Nikita Braxton-Benjamin

Story Created: Feb 5, 2014 at 11:59 PM ECT

Story Updated: Feb 6, 2014 at 9:35 AM ECT 

 

A MAN who admitted to assaulting and shaving the hair off the head of his ex-common-law wife and hitting their two-year-old son with a bottle was yesterday fined $600. Imamshah Ali told the court he heard the woman having a conversation with a man and felt disrespected.

The case was determined by San Fernando Ma­gistrate Margaret Alert. She was told at around 8 a.m. on Saturday, the 26-year-old woman, from Tableland, was at the defendant’s home when they got into an argument over a phone call. Ali, 31, of Gasparillo, struck her with a teacup on the right side of her chin. The woman sustained a cut.

 

Police prosecutor Sgt Marlon Bruce said Ali continued quarrelling and prevented the wo­man from leaving. Around 9 a.m. the following day, while sitting in the living room holding their son, Ali slapped her on the face, injuring her mouth. He also hit her on the head, causing swelling to the area.
The court heard Ali also took a shaver and cut the woman’s hair.  He then threw a bottle at her and it hit their son on the right side of the face, causing bruising and swelling. When questioned by Constable Ferriera of the Gasparillo police, Ali said: “Is just a lil scuffle we had.”
 

He was charged with unlawfully assaulting the woman and his son by beating. Ali was also charged with assaulting the mother of his child with a teacup. When asked by the magistrate what the argument had to do with the child, Ali said: “That was an accident.”  He told the magistrate that on Saturday, the woman called him and asked to spend the weekend at his home, and while there, he heard her having a conversation with a man.

“I find that was disrespectful. She can’t come by me and that happening.” Asked why he used violence, Ali said his common-law wife was a “physical woman, too”. He was fined $300 on each of the assault char­ges against his wife and child. On the charge of assaulting the woman with the teacup, Alert said charging him for that offence was “overkill” as it had stemmed from the same incident.
She reprimanded and discharged Ali on that offence.

The $600 fine had to be paid by today or he will serve a month in prison. 

 

Source:  http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/600-fine-licks-for-wife-child-243879151.html 

Julie was Killed by ‘Someone She Knew’

By Susan Mohammed

Story Created: Feb 6, 2014 at 12:04 AM ECT

Story Updated: Feb 6, 2014 at 9:32 AM ECT 

 

Killed: Julie Duke-Guerraro was found Tuesday bound and gagged, with her throat slit.

COUVA mother Julie Duke-Guerraro bled to death from a single fatal stab wound to the neck which may have been inflicted by someone she knew.

Pathologist Dr Valery Alexandrov, who performed a forensic examination yesterday, said there were no other marks of violence on Duke-Guerraro’s body, which suggested she did not resist or try to defend herself.

Duke-Guerraro’s body was discovered bound and blindfolded on Tuesday afternoon in the bedroom of her home at Perth Avenue, Perseverance Village.

The mother of three was found by her brother, Lester Duke, 18, who went to check on her after calls to her cellphone went unanswered during the day and she did not turn up for work as a preschool teacher.

Alexandrov told the Express he believed Duke-Guerraro was asleep when attacked.

“She did not have a single scratch on her body indicative of self-defence or resistance to her killer. 

 

It’s a possibility that she was sleeping when she was tied up and she may have been killed by someone she knew. It’s possible that the perpetrator had access to the house, so there was no fight. But that is for the police to find out,” he said.

Alexandrov said the weapon used had a three-inch single-edge blade, similar to a kitchen knife.
Duke-Guerraro’s mother, Lucy Duke, said the family was baffled by the killing, as her daughter never spoke of feeling threatened or scared of anyone.

She said Duke-Guerraro was married for almost ten years to Dillon Guerraro, but the two separated last year and their relationship was amicable.

Duke-Guerraro was a preschool teacher at Learning Tree Early Childhood Care Centre at Mary Street, Lisas Gardens.

Residents in the area yesterday expressed shock over the death.

The mother said she last saw Duke-Guerraro on Sunday at the christening of a re­lative. “She stayed about half an hour and everything was normal. She brought her children because I didn’t see them in a few days. Everything was normal with her,” she said.

Duke said the family wanted justice for her daughter’s death.

“I want to find out who did this to her and let the law deal with them. I leave everything in the hands of God,” said Duke. 

 

Source: http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/Julie-was-killed-by-someone-she-knew-243880551.html

Couva Mom Tied Up, Throat Slit

Story Created: Feb 4, 2014 at 10:30 PM ECT

Story Updated: Feb 5, 2014 at 11:34 AM ECT 

 

Murdered mother of three: Julie Guerraro

A COUVA mother was found murdered in her bed yesterday, with her hands and feet bound and throat slit.

The body of Julie Guerraro, 33, of Perth Avenue, Perseverance Village, was discovered at around 4.30 p.m.

Guerraro, a mother of three, was a pre-school teacher at Learning Tree Pre-School in Couva.
Police said her body was discovered by her brother, who went to check on her after calls to her cell phone went unanswered.

A party of police officers, led by Ag Snr Supt Johhny Abraham and Sgt Susan John of the Couva CID, visited the scene last night.

Guerraro was the ninth woman to be murdered for the year.

On Monday, 23-year-old Stacy Roopan was shot and killed while walking along the street near her home in Couva on her way to pick up her infant son at a preschool.

Police said the killings are unrelated.

Up to last night, the murder toll for the year to date stood at 54, while the figure at this time last year was 38.
—Susan Mohammed

Source: http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/Couva-mom-tied-up-throat-slit-243608571.html