No one went to Sherida’s rescue

But her abuser would not leave her alone. Her estranged husband, Rakesh Chickoree, 34, stalked her, threatened her and had made numerous attempts to kill her.

On one occasion he broke into her home by cutting through some BRC wire, beat her up, cut the clothes she was wearing off her body and cut up all the clothes in her wardrobe. He did this in the presence of Sherida’s children, Vicky, 11 and four-year-old Christopher.

Fearing for the safety of her children, Sherida sent them to live with her parents, Abidh and Shamsaoon Mohammed. However she was never safe and the attempts on her life continued. During one attack, her husband had a pair of scissors, a piece of cloth soaked with ammonia, scotch tape and weedicide.

According to relatives, Sherida reported all the attacks to the police and had been trying to obtain a restraining order against her husband. Her parents had begged her to move back home with them, worried that she was not safe living on her own but Sherida had wanted to reclaim her independence and was determined to stick things out until the attacks and threats ended.

On the night of November 20, at around 10 pm, Rakesh lurked outside Sherida’s home waiting for her to return. He ambushed her as she entered the gallery, slitting her throat and leaving a huge knife stuck in her back.

Neighbours heard Sherida’s dying screams but didn’t respond and she bled to death just outside the home. Her body was not discovered until several hours later by her daughter who often dropping in for a short visit on her way to school.

Meanwhile, Rakesh made it all the way to a relative’s house in Fanny Village, Point Fortin, and took his own life by ingesting a poisonous substance. His body was found just hours after his victim’s body had been discovered.

Sherida Chickoree, murder victim number 338, was one of five women killed in domestic violence incidents this year, the latest victim of the most common form of gender-based violence in Trinidad and Tobago.

Protection should have been made available to Sherida and the other victims under the Domestic Violence Act No 27 of 1999 but the legislation has had only limited success because of difficulties with application and enforcement.

Trinidad and Tobago is supposed to have a comprehensive programme against domestic violence, including a 24-hour National Domestic Violence Hotline, a Domestic Violence Unit within the Gender Affairs Division of the Ministry of Culture, Community Development and Gender Affairs. There is also a Male Support Programme, 19 community-based drop-in information centres and a Community Policing Section.

Domestic Violence legislation was first implemented in 1991 after lengthy and contentious debate in Parliament. In 1991, the Act was repealed and replaced with legislation reflecting international standards and the Legal Aid and Advice Act was amended to allow more people, including victims of domestic violence, to qualify for legal aid.

However, there are significant flaws in the current system. A report compiled by local NGOs showed that enforcement of protection orders is difficult because, despite attempts at training and sensitisation, police officers may be unwilling to intervene in domestic matters.

In addition, victims often feel embarrassed by the legal process and find themselves under economic and social pressure to withdraw cases filed under the Act.

Flaws in the judicial process include the fact that applications under the Domestic Violence Act are made in the Magistrates’ Courts where victims are not afforded privacy and dignity.

It was also found that many women don’t understand the procedures pertaining to domestic violence courts and are not offered adequate assistance or information when they go to the court for help. An October 2004 report on judicial sensitisation entitled "Approaches to Domestic and Gender Based Violence in Trinidad and Tobago" found, among other things, that Magistrates need to be properly trained "as to the intent and content of the law and their powers under the Domestic Violence Act".

The reported recommended training for Magistrates in the psychology of offender and victim, as well as assessing and screening of Magistrates so as to roster only those found suitable for the Domestic Violence Courts.

One significant recommendation in the report was as follows: "In keeping with a policy of zero tolerance for domestic violence offences, the Committee is of the view that the time has come for there to be a policy of mandatory arrest, mandatory charge and mandatory prosecution for all complaints of domestic violence.

"At present, a police officer had a discretion to arrest only where the officer has reason to believe that the conduct complained of amounts to physical violence and that a failure to arrest may result in serious physical injury or death. Provision is made in Section 25 of the Act for mandatory charge in circumstances outlined in that section.

"The Committee recommends that the Act be amended to allow the police officer to arrest in all cases of domestic violence. This legislative amendment, coupled with the aforementioned policy, will ensure that the purpose for which the Act was passed is achieved."

There are indications that work is being done to address law enforcement and judicial shortcomings in the area of domestic violence protection. Proposals have been made for fundamental changes in the approach to domestic violence reports by the police and an expanded role is envisaged for social service providers and the wider community in giving relief and assistance to victims.

So far, there is no word on implementation. In the interim, women like Sherida Chickoree are slipping through the cracks.

The Victims

NOVEMBER 20 - Sherida Chickoree, 30, had her throat slit by her estranged husband as she was entering her Boys Lane, D’Abadie home.

AUGUST 18 - Devika Narine, 23, had her throat slit by her boyfriend in a murder/suicide at Maracas Valley, St Joseph

AUGUST 10 - Ria Ramlochan, 25, and her 18-month-old son Ishmael Ragbir, stabbed to death at Mafeking Village, Mayaro

AUGUST 5 - Sherma Roberts, 33, and Donna George, 47, shot dead at Diamond Vale, Diego Martin.

How to get help

IF YOU or someone you know has been a victim of domestic violence, seek help from other family members and friends or community organisations. Make sure you and your children are SAFE. Reach out for support or counseling. Talk with a health care provider, especially if you have been physically hurt.

Here are other things you can do:

- Call the police or leave if you or your children are in danger! Call a crisis hotline or the Domestic Violence Hotline.

- You’re not alone. Many women are victims of domestic abuse.

- Don’t ignore it. It won’t go away. Learn how to lower your risk of being a victim before you find yourself in an uncomfortable or threatening situation.

- Don’t keep it to yourself. Get help. Talk with someone: a family member, friend, colleague, or faith counselor.

- If you’ve been hurt, get medical attention and call the police. Abuse is a crime and you have rights.

- Find out about shelters. A crisis hotline or the police can help you find one.

- Make plans for what you will do if you’re attacked again.

- Set aside some money and choose a place to go. If you decide to leave, you’ll be prepared. Put important papers - marriage license, birth certificates, and other papers and items - in a place where you can get them quickly.

You can call any of the following numbers for advice and help:

- The Domestic Violence Hotline, a 24-hour hotline which is a service of the Ministry of Culture & Gender Affairs. Dial 800-SAVE (Please note that this number cannot be dialed from a pay phone)

- Families in Action Hotline, also a 24-hour hotline - 628-2333

- The Community Police

All Community Police officers are specially trained to handle domestic violence situations. The Community Police work along with the two hotlines above. They can be reached directly at the following numbers: