Senior Multimedia Reporter
radhica.sookraj@guardian.co.tt
The fatal shooting of Steve Ghany Junior—killed during a six-hour domestic ordeal at his home earlier this month—has become a catalyst for a new national push to confront domestic violence, as a coalition of legal and mental health professionals move to turn tragedy into reform.
Ghany was shot dead two weeks ago following what investigators described as a prolonged and traumatic incident involving a woman and her two children.
The woman, who later confessed to the shooting, was released from police custody without charge following legal advice, a development that has sparked widespread public debate over self-defence, victim protection and the failures of intervention systems.
Now, in the wake of his funeral last Thursday, former Justice Minister and attorney Prakash Ramadhar, clinical psychologist Dr Valini Pundit and attorney Saira Lakhan are leading a new initiative aimed at empowering abused women, reshaping male identity and demanding stronger institutional responses.
Speaking at a media conference last Friday, Ramadhar said the initiative goes far beyond the high-profile case involving his client.
“This is not a spontaneous response,” Ramadhar said.
“We have a duty to ensure we do things that make this country safer and happier. Domestic violence is at the core of one of the most important issues we speak about—but never truly deal with.”
While declining to discuss details of the case, he described his client as having endured “the most horrible of agonies,” adding that she now needs time to heal with her family.
But Ramadhar stressed the broader national crisis, warning that domestic violence is often misunderstood and rooted in deeper societal failures.
“Real men love. Real men protect. Real men care,” he said.
“We have to redefine masculinity. This idea of being brutish and controlling—that is not manhood. That is failure.”
He added that many perpetrators are themselves products of violent, unstable homes.
“Some of the abusers I have defended regret everything. But they grew up in environments of violence, of no love. If we fix that, we fix much of this problem.”
Dr Pundit said public discourse continues to fail victims by asking the wrong questions.
“The question is not ‘why didn’t she leave?’” Dr Pundit said.
“The question is ‘what made it unsafe for her to leave?’ Leaving is often the most dangerous moment in an abusive relationship.”
She described domestic violence as “a pattern of control” —not just physical abuse, but emotional, financial and psychological domination.
“Victims are not simply choosing to stay,” she explained.
“They are experiencing trauma bonding—a psychological survival response where fear and relief become intertwined.”
Dr Pundit warned that without proper understanding, society risks further harm.
“Understanding saves lives. Judgment costs them.”
She called for expanded mental health support, public education and early intervention, adding that domestic violence must now be treated as a “public health and societal crisis.”
Lakhan brought a legal perspective, highlighting systemic failures in enforcement.
“A protection order can become a decorative piece of paper if it is not enforced,” Lakhan said.
“Victims go to police stations and are turned away, ignored or not taken seriously.”
Citing data, she said there were over 33,000 domestic violence reports between 2010 and 2024, including more than 400 domestic-related murders.
“That tells us this is not isolated — it is entrenched,” she said.
“And when victims are more comfortable telling doctors than police, we have a serious confidence problem.”
Lakhan also pointed to cultural norms that normalise abuse.
“We condone too much—jealousy, control, verbal abuse—until it becomes criminal.”
The trio said their initiative will focus on schools, targeting pre-teens and teenagers before harmful behaviours become ingrained.
“We are volunteering ourselves,” Ramadhar said.
“We will go into schools, communities, religious institutions—wherever we are needed—to teach values, to teach respect, to teach what a healthy relationship looks like.”
He added that the movement would also address perpetrators, not just victims.
“If we fix the abuser, we prevent the abuse,” he said.
“This requires education, accountability and intervention long before the courts become involved.”
Calling for a national shift, Ramadhar urged citizens to take responsibility within their own circles.
“We are our brother’s keeper. We are our sister’s keeper,” he said.
“If we do not restore standards in this society, we will continue to see these tragedies.”
He added: “We cannot fix the past. But today, we can begin building a better tomorrow.”
