The following press statement was issued by the Police Complaints Authority (PCA): The Police Complaints Authority (PCA) has initiated investigations into three recent and serious allegations against the Trinidad and Tobago Police. 1. An investigation has begun into the circumstances surrounding the deaths, of Andrew Morris and Joel Belcon on …
Read More »Dear Editor: Death of Andrea murder suspects, while in TTPS custody, is cause for alarm
“[…] I understand the pain and anguish that the friends and relatives of the murdered girl, Andrea Bharatt, must feel. “[…] But we have the deaths of two men, whose fates have to be examined. In real life, vigilante justice is an incredibly slippery slope that we as a society should …
Read More »Dear Editor: The death penalty won’t make our women or girls safe
Once again, the Catholic Commission for Social Justice (CCSJ) and the Greater Caribbean for Life (GCL) urge T&T’s government to focus on human development and crime prevention rather than expend time and energy in seeking to resume hanging. CCSJ and GCL are aware that passions are running high in T&T …
Read More »Gopeesingh: ‘Time for bipartisan approach to runaway crime’
The following statement calling for bipartisan action against crime comes from former UNC MP for Caroni East Dr Tim Gopeesingh: The brutal attacks and murders of Andrea Bharatt and many other women underscore the horrendous crime reality that has been stalking our nation in recent years. What is needed now …
Read More »Dear editor: ‘Women and children deserve to feel safe!’ Three ways to address gender-based violence
“[…] The reality of Trinidad and Tobago does not allow women and girls to enter into public spaces without experiencing some form of fear and discomfort. “Socialisation of our men and boys must be acknowledged as a significant contributor to violence against women and girls, which must be addressed with …
Read More »Cox: ‘Society must own up to huge deficiencies in the socialisation of our males’
The following statement on the death of Andrea Bharatt was submitted by the minister of social development and family services, Senator Donna Cox: On behalf of the Ministry of Social Development and Family Services, I would like to extend condolences to the family, relatives and friends of Andrea Bharatt and …
Read More »Dear editor: ‘As a mother, I’m paralysed with fear; as a woman, I’m filled with tremendous anxiety’
“[…] As a woman, I am filled with tremendous anxiety. I am fiercely independent, but I feel that independence disappearing—as I constantly have to adjust my movements to try and ensure my safety…” The following Letter to the Editor was submitted to Wired868 by an anonymous contributor, under the pen …
Read More »TTPS: Body of 23-year-old kidnap victim, Andrea Bharatt, found
The following press statement on kidnap victim Andrea Bharatt was released by the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS): The search for kidnapped victim, Andrea Bharatt, ended this afternoon after her body was found down a precipice along the Heights of Aripo. According to reports, around 12.20pm today, a motorist …
Read More »NJAC suggests ‘council of elders’ to solve THA impasse that ‘can have serious repercussions’ for T&T
“[…] NJAC shares the concern of the wider society, particularly the people of Tobago, about the present situation in the Tobago House of Assembly (THA). “It is NJAC’s view that such a situation inevitably creates an environment of political instability that can have serious repercussions, not only for Tobago, …
Read More »Dear Editor: Right to ‘soot’? Normalising street harassment is harmful to women
“[…] The first stage is normalisation. Some things normalise harmful mindsets—sexist attitudes, unwanted (non-sexual) touch, the idea that boys will be boys. The second stage is degradation—catcalling, victim-blaming, flashing/exposing. This is where sooting and other types of street harassment belong. The final stage is assault—groping, molestation, rape, and murder …” …
Read More »NWAC: Singing Sandra ‘echoed voice of the mothers, abused, poor and downtrodden’
“[…] Singing Sandra has left a great legacy in the calypso world as one of the most powerful female calypsonians to date. Her style of calypso was able to highlight the issues, concerns and hardships of women to the nation and the world at large. “Through her music, she echoed …
Read More »NACC: Two-time Calypso Monarch Singing Sandra was a national treasure
“[…] Sandra Des Vignes-Millington is among only three female calypsonians to have won the National Calypso Monarch title and the only one to have won it on two occasions. “Singing Sandra will long be remembered, not only for her commitment to the art form, but even more so for the …
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