UNC women bash Rowley

In a statement, the Women’s Arm said, “Victim blaming occurs when the victim of a crime or any wrongful act is held entirely or partially responsible for the harm that befell them. The study of victimology seeks to mitigate the perception of victims as responsible. There is a greater tendency to blame victims than perpetrators.”

The UNC women called on Rowley to apologise immediately since these women and their families, having undergone tremendous psychological and physical trauma during their ordeals, are now placed under similar trauma by this comment. “We also would like to ask the Prime Minister: were Nadia Simms, Rachel Ramkissoon and other women who were victims of heinous crimes, were they also murdered because of their ‘choices’?” the group asked.

The Women’s Arm also alleged that Rowley shed accountability for other murders by playing the victim card. It also criticised Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi, claiming he was sending mixed messages with respect to traffic crimes.” As elected representatives, the Prime Minister and Attorney General are responsible for public safety, the women said, adding: “Domestic violence is a crime, a public matter, a social problem.

The State’s primary responsibility is to protect all citizens, not pick and choose, not profit from crime.” Speaking via a press release in her personal capacity as Couva North MP, Ramona Ramdial yesterday called on Rowley to apologist rather than try and defend his statement. She said the prime minister’s language was “poor and crass” and that his response on Monday should have been more “solution-oriented”.

She said Rowley’s focus must be on improving the legal system and assist all women in regards the granting of protection orders, training police adequately to deal with domestic issues, have social officers at all police stations, construct more shelters and safe spaces for women through collaboration with NGOs (Non-Governmental Organisations), CBO (Community Based Organisations). She also called on Rowley to exercise more sensitivity when dealing with such a topic as domestic violence.