20 women died this year from domestic violence

However, she noted that while the Network of NGOs for the advancement of women have recorded 20 deaths for the year, the TT Police Service Crime And Problem Analysis (CAPA) branch has five on record for the year. The network does its tracking using media and other reports, made available to them.

To curb the increasing number of incidence of violence against women ASPIRE (Advocates of Safe Parenthood: Improving Reproductive Equity) is proposing a public health model at primary, secondary and tertiary levels, and zero tolerance among other emerging strategies.

As a panelist on the subject “Women in Violent Circumstances” on Friday at the inaugural Caribbean Association of Women Judges inaugural conference and project launch, at the Hyatt Regency, Seebarran-Suite said in spite of legislation and protection orders being in place, a number of gaps existed in the current measures in place to women and girls from domestic violence.

The gaps include police not charging for assault offences and shunting complaints to the Domestic Violence Courts, perpetrators enjoy impunity for inappropriate police response, and inadequate numbers of officers dedicated to respond to domestic violence.

In addition victims are removed from the home instead of the perpetrators, and there are dedicated facilities for holding perpetrators at stations. Reports of domestic violence are on the increase, she said as more awareness programmes are leading women to make public their situation in the media, and to the police.