The number of reports to the Victim and Witness Support Unit of the T&T Police Service has already reached 841 for this year. Of that number, 300 of the victims from the Central Division made reports of domestic violence, rape and child abuse. Retired assistant commissioner of police Margaret Sampson-Browne who manages the unit said this yesterday at a symposium titled Voices held at the Centre of Excellence, Macoya.
Speaking about the figure in Central, she said, "Those are people who are saying that they are brave enough to come and make a report. "Those who can't take it anymore." She spoke of a situation in Couva where a man beat his wife, put her out of the home, and was "interfering" with his daughters. She said another daughter, 14, bore two children for the father.
From 2008 to July 21, 2012, Sampson-Browne said the unit's response to dealing with "clients" had increased. The number of victims who contacted the unit for assistance during that period was 2,267. The symposium was hosted by Carol Maharaj of Care One Consultant Services.
The guest speaker was Carolyn Thomas from Texas, US, whose story as a survivor of domestic abuse has been followed worldwide. Thomas appeared on the Maury Show, Larry King and on Oprah, twice. Her ex-boyfriend, who is serving two 30-year life sentences, shot her at point-blank range in December 2003.
Thomas suffered catastrophic facial injuries and was not expected to live. Her mother was also shot and died from her injuries. Sampson-Browne also spoke about another situation where a girl under ten was forced to perform sexual acts on her uncle while her sister remained outside the room.
"Our children are in crisis in Trinidad and Tobago," she said. She said children were being damaged, destroyed and molested and made to behave as adults by those they trusted.
