Free hugs from a man who admits to a ‘dark’ past

With this knowledge 30-year-old Sean Dalipsingh has embarked on a campaign offering free hugs to individuals with the hope of spreading love to strangers who he believes may be experiencing pain, anger and malice.

Dalipsingh is promising to travel throughout all districts within Trinidad and Tobago offering free hugs to anyone along the streets. He would be holding a sign with the words “Free Hugs” and offering hugs to everyone.

His journey first started two weeks ago in Port-of-Spain. Yesterday he walked through San Fernando with his sign. He said many times people face challenges in their lives and have no one to talk to or offer comfort.

“You see someone just walking the road and they face many challenges and that may have them bitter. Would it not be a wonderful thing if a hug could get them through the day? Sometimes all we need is someone to hug us,” he told Newsday. Dalipsingh admitted that he also made mistakes which have now tarnished his character. He is among thousands listed on a Florida registry for sexual offenders. His mug shot and profile are easily accessible on the internet. But Dalipsingh said that he expects many people to pass judgement and paint him as a “monster or paedophile” because they do not have all the facts.

“At the time, I was young (15 years old) and the female was 11 years old.

He was charged with sexual battery and three years in prison after which he was deported to Trinidad.

Sexual battery is defined when a person has unconsensual oral, vaginal or anal contact with another person. However in Florida the law states that if the victim is under the age of 12, the State does not have to show the victim’s lack of consent to charge the offender.

“It is something that happened in my teenage years and I will pay the price for a lifetime but I am a strong person.” Dalipsingh said the criticisms which he may be subjected to would not deter him on his quest to bring a smile to a person’s face.

He said many people have called him horrible names since.

“People have laughed at me and said that I am a pervert for wanting to hug people, but that is far from the truth. I just want to make someone’s day brighter.

There is too much pain and sadness in this country,” he said.

Dalipsingh said because of the outpouring of negative criticisms he received on social media with some labelling him as “a sex offender”, his spirit was dampened but he promised to continue his quest.