TTPS urges public to speak out about domestic violence

The Special Victims Department (SVD) of the T&T Police Service (TTPS) is encouraging the public to speak up and report domestic abuse.

In observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, officers were dressed purple yesterday when they went to east Trinidad to educate the public about the importance of choosing not to stay silent.

SVD head Superintendent Michelle Rowley-Powder said while there has been a noted decrease in reports of domestic violence this year compared to the same period last year, there still needs to be a whole-of-society approach to the issue.

In an interview with Guardian Media at East Gates Mall in Trincity yesterday, she said: “Last year’s figure to this period last year we had 2477 reports. The comparative period this year is 2083 reports, so we have seen a slight decrease. It is a significant decrease, however, we are still aiming for as little reports as possible. We would really like to see a greater decrease.

“Our intention today is to sensitise the public. We are chatting. We want to meet the public one-on-one to let them know that the fight against domestic violence doesn’t belong to the police alone. The police can do so much but a lot of times when the information comes to the police that the victim has been abused for a long time, sometimes it’s months, it may even be years. We are here to interact with the public to let them know the battle belongs to us as a society. We need a collective approach. Let us look out for each other. Let us help each other. Let us bring the information forward.”

Just over a week ago, 34-year-old Tara Ramsaroop and her one-year-old daughter Jada Mootilal were murdered in Barrackpoore by Ramsaroop’s husband. Relatives blamed the police for their deaths as they said they ignored abuse complaints.

On the matter of officers not responding to domestic violence reports, Rowley-Powder said that should not hinder people from making reports.

“When there is neglect of duty by police officers, discipline will be implemented. I don’t want that to cause persons to hesitate from coming forward and making your reports. We will treat with domestic violence matters,” she said.

“If anyone comes to the station and their matter is not treated with, make a report, we will deal with it … It wouldn’t take much out of us as a society to make a call, it could be anonymous.”

The SVD will take its sensitisation campaign across the country this month.

The post TTPS urges public to speak out about domestic violence first appeared on CNC3.