October 7, 2016: The Honourable Prime Minister and Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Gender Affairs Mrs. Ayanna Webster-Roy are concerned by the spate of domestic violence cases plaguing our society. The hurt felt by the victims and their families is unimaginable. Domestic violence is a violation of the human rights of individuals.
The Office of the Prime Minister does not condone these behaviours and is doing everything possible to reduce this scourge. We urge the public, victims or observers to call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-SAVE (7283). This 24-hour hotline provides counselling services, crisis intervention and referrals to appropriate agencies such as, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service, the Victim and Support Unit of the TTPS, the National Family Services, the Children’s Authority of Trinidad and Tobago, Lifeline or the Rape Crisis Society. Referrals can also be made for directing the victim to a place of safety or a shelter. We grieve with the public as we see this social ill destroying families, as children and close relations are sometimes caught in the domestic war.
The Office of the Prime Minister will continue our drive to advocate against domestic violence. We will continue to build awareness and promote strategies to prevent domestic violence. Operationalizing new shelters and deepening the partnerships with governmental and non-governmental organisations to secure and protect the victims of such violence remains a core strategy to reduce the impact of domestic violence.
As a nation we must stand united and be our neighbour’s keepers to ensure the protection of our children, women and men.
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For further information please contact:
The Corporate Communications Unit
Office of the Prime Minister, Gender and Child Affairs Unit
868-627-1163 ext. 2110/2047