Tag Archives: domestic abuse

“Across the region, approximately 11% of the survey respondents of both sexes reported experience with domestic violence,” the report noted. For Trinidad and Tobago, the rate was 8.3%. Across the seven Caribbean countries surveyed, the average injury rate for men was 6.7% and 10.7% for women. Domestic or spousal abuse …

Poverty—insufficient income to live a basic decent life—does not cause domestic violence. However, poverty can lead to domestic violence or spousal abuse. Domestic violence is not unique to women, although more women are victims. Spousal abuse, also known as intimate partner violence, is intended to result in physical, sexual or …

“[…] The presence of firearms in a household where there is a history of domestic violence increases the risk of lethal outcomes. “[…] The use of firearms by abusers in cases of domestic violence can extend beyond fatal outcomes. Firearms can be employed as tools to exert control, intimidate, and …

It’s hard not to be overwhelmed by the barrage of brutality. How many times in recent days have I felt my stomach churn because of the news bombarding us?  Rage is roaring through our space, so unfettered that we can’t help but feel that, here and now, all fall down. …

“[…] The first and most important red flag test a woman can give a man is to tell him ‘no’, especially when he really wants to do something involving your time, body, reputation, property or livelihood. “His request does not just have to be sexual. It can be anything. If …

“[…] Luisa Calderon and Thisbe […] lived through the foundational violence of colonialism which shaped not only the vulnerabilities that they had to negotiate in their time but those that women must still navigate today. And both women experienced terror at the hands of the same celebrated colonial icons: Governor …

“[…] Our pre-colonial ancestors never beat our children. You are not supposed to use violence against those weaker than you.  “We learned that crap from our enslavers and colonial masters, with their bullying, might is right culture. Ever since, we have been rearing bullies and their victims.  “We teach so …

‘The things that happen to people we will never really know. What happens in houses behind closed doors, what secrets’ —  Lee Harper, To Kill a Mockingbird.  This quote came back to life this week as we tried to digest the horrors of domestic violence in our land.  We attempt …

The news was blunt but not unexpected. The lead sentences (Express, 9 December 2021) calmly reported, ‘Shadie Dassrath was beaten to death in an apartment in La Romaine last Friday morning. An autopsy done on the body of the 31-year woman found she died of blunt force trauma and sustained …

“[…] How do I explain to my son that he lives in a world where the home is considered the most dangerous place for women, with the majority of female homicide victims worldwide being killed by partners or family? “[…] If we are to end violence against women, we must …

“[…] While we recognise the gains made with amendments to The Domestic Violence Act and the establishment of a Gender-based Violence Unit in the TTPS, the continuing scourge of violence against women and children requires a more aggressive and holistic approach from those in authority. “We are reminded that the …

I shouldn’t have been surprised by the volume of responses to my last column on domestic violence and sexual abuse. They are obviously prevalent though we can only guess at the extent. Yet it takes a lot of courage for victims to speak out. It isn’t just the accompanying shame …