UNC leader calls for domestic violence fund
Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar is proposing the establishment of a domestic violence fund and a special police unit to help victims of abuse.
Speaking at at the Spiritual Baptist Community South East’s Liberation Day celebrations in Princes Town yesterday, she said they were among measures that would be undertaken by Persad-Bissessar-led government will initiate.
Speaking on the theme, Abuse me with love! Domestic violence is wrong!, the United National Congress (UNC) political leader said T&T’s domestic violence statistics are alarming, as between 2008 and 2019, 165 women had been killed.
“These statistics are cause for deep concern. Women no longer feel safe in their homes, on the streets, at their jobs or while doing everyday activities,” she said.
Persad-Bissessar cited a 2017 Inter-American Development Bank survey on women’s health in T&T which stated that one in three women have experienced violence by an intimate partner.
According to the reports, many women remained quiet and did not seek or receive assistance and the existing infrastructure for women who want to leave abusive relationships is inadequate and does not provide the level of solace and safety.
The Opposition Leader appealed to citizens to stand in support of survivors and referred to the case of Penal resident Leisha Ramnath, 39, who was strangled and beaten to death by a close relative.
“That story broke my heart,” she said, adding that survivors need social protection and financial support, a safe place to live, among other services.
“We propose a fund for domestic violence victims who are economically dependent on their spouses so that they can get a head start in rebuilding their lives,” Persad-Bissessar said.
She added: “We propose the creation of a specially trained unit within the police service to handle cases. Women must be treated with respect, and their privacy and confidentially protected.”
Persad-Bissessar also highlighted the need for safe houses, intervention centres, free legal counseling and greater awareness of the issue.
Speaking at at the Spiritual Baptist Community South East’s Liberation Day celebrations in Princes Town yesterday, she said they were among measures that would be undertaken by Persad-Bissessar-led government will initiate.
Speaking on the theme, Abuse me with love! Domestic violence is wrong!, the United National Congress (UNC) political leader said T&T’s domestic violence statistics are alarming, as between 2008 and 2019, 165 women had been killed.
“These statistics are cause for deep concern. Women no longer feel safe in their homes, on the streets, at their jobs or while doing everyday activities,” she said.
Persad-Bissessar cited a 2017 Inter-American Development Bank survey on women’s health in T&T which stated that one in three women have experienced violence by an intimate partner.
According to the reports, many women remained quiet and did not seek or receive assistance and the existing infrastructure for women who want to leave abusive relationships is inadequate and does not provide the level of solace and safety.
The Opposition Leader appealed to citizens to stand in support of survivors and referred to the case of Penal resident Leisha Ramnath, 39, who was strangled and beaten to death by a close relative.
“That story broke my heart,” she said, adding that survivors need social protection and financial support, a safe place to live, among other services.
“We propose a fund for domestic violence victims who are economically dependent on their spouses so that they can get a head start in rebuilding their lives,” Persad-Bissessar said.
She added: “We propose the creation of a specially trained unit within the police service to handle cases. Women must be treated with respect, and their privacy and confidentially protected.”
Persad-Bissessar also highlighted the need for safe houses, intervention centres, free legal counseling and greater awareness of the issue.