All of us must be concerned.

None of us are left untouched.

Now, more than ever, we must be vigilant and stand guard for our loved ones and each other.

That means treating all lives as worthy.

Amid the incidents of violence, there have been reports by members of the LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex) community who fear they are being specifically targeted by criminals.

According to several LGBTI lobby groups, three gay men — all Caribbean migrants — were murdered in a month-long period earlier this year. Rumours have swirled about other incidents of violence, triggering groups, including the Coalition Advocating for Inclusion of Sexual Orientation (CAISO), to form a community- based safety campaign aimed at harnessing the power of solidarity to help gay men and women.

Whether the rumours are true and whether or not the murders were hate crimes, it is clear LGBTI people are vulnerable. Homophobia remains a constant challenge within this society. It is experienced on a social level and sanctioned at the level of the State through appalling and unconstitutional legislation such as the Equal Opportunity Act (which permits discrimination on the basis of sexuality) and the Immigration Act (which the Caribbean Court of Justice failed to strike down last year).

Still, things are not as bad as they are in, say, other countries like Jamaica where the entire society appears obsessed with beating down on any form of sexual minority; an obsession apparent in the music that forms the pulse of the island.

Yet, even in Jamaica things are getting better. An example is the ground-breaking Beyond Homophobia conference held by the University of the West Indies in January with the support of the British Council, the first such conference to be held by the university and in the Caribbean.

In Trinidad and Tobago, LGBTI people are permitted to live their lives in general peace, so long as they do not dare to be vocal and open about it. Merriment is fine on Carnival Monday and Tuesday, but by Ash Wednesday the gayness must be put back in the closet.

As pointed out by CAISO director Colin Robinson in a recent commentary, much of the violence against gay people remains under-reported. Many LGBTI people speak of being mocked or dismissed by police when they report crimes. Also, there are complex barriers in place, such as the effect of being outed to family, neighbours, co-workers, or church members.

There are further challenges when the media have to cover cases of violence aimed at members of the LGBTI community. Family members are often reluctant to discuss their loved one’s sexuality; and police may not take the question of sexual orientation seriously enough to pursue leads.

In this type of environment, then, it is easy to envision the sustained targeting of gay people going under the radar. Therefore, groups like CAISO and advocates like Jason Jones are to be lauded to the extent that they have raised visibility on the issue.

The response of the State must not be to cavalierly dismiss these concerns. The nature of the vulnerable group potentially affected means any inquiry into the facts must be nuanced. Sexuality is not only a factual matter, it is a complex social one.

Therefore greater training and sensitivity are required. Complaints and reports must be treated seriously. It is important for the State to make an effort to protect all lives, to thoroughly investigate all cases, and examine all angles and motivations. A murder is not any less abhorrent because it is a hate crime. It is worse.

Indeed, at the secondary level from year one, students are exposed to sex education through their science, physical education and even social studies classes.

In addition, there is health and family life education which is taught across the curriculum by all teachers. This subject is also taught at the primary level. Why then there continues to be the call for the “introduction” of sex education in schools? Based on the social issues that are giving rise to this call, it would seem that what is really needed is education. Many of our young people lack basic skills in relating to one another. They seem to need help to develop their understanding, skills and values around healthy sex and relationships, especially with the advent of social media and the breakdown in family structures.

Given the profound extent to which they are exposed to societal messages and norms that promote bad sex, drug use and violence, it is no wonder they are confused and unable to make the right choices.

These messages are both subtle and not so subtle and constantly bombard the minds of children from a tender age. The entertainment industry thrives on the glorification of promiscuity, violence, bullying and even male dominance. The average young person is virtually bullied into making bad choices.

The focus of sex education should be on relationship dynamics, especially with regard to the digital world. They must be taught what a good relationship looks like, characterised by feelings of mutual respect.

Given all the societal and peer pressures they need guidance to really figure out who they want to be and what they want from a relationship.

They also need guidance in terms of defining a socially responsible value system based on moral philosophy, empathy, self-regulation and an ability to introspect/reflect. In short they must be taught to develop positive identities.

They must also be taught media literacy and good communication skills. Many of our young people are unable to express their true feelings and lack the strength and conviction to stand firm in their beliefs and not be swayed by peer pressure and social media.

While it would be nice to have specialists engaging them in this type of education, teachers can’t wait for these experts to assist them in the classroom with this facet of social education.

The onus is therefore on teachers to reach out and engage their charges in these deep conversations, drawing out their thoughts, feelings and perspectives on sex and relationships. Bearing in mind that the social issues are not demarcated in real life, every effort must be made to teach these issues in an integrated manner and not in silos.

It is important to remember that many of our students will not openly speak about these issues unless a certain level of trust is established between teacher and student. In essence what is really needed is an increased emphasis on life skills since the social structures that once performed this task is crumbling, leaving our young people in a vacuum that social media is all too happy to exploit.

Their apparent high levels of promiscuity, penchant for resolving conflict through violence and overall inability to communicate respect for self and each other are all symptoms of that deeper problem of deficiencies in their socialisation.

Their confused state of mind leads them to make bad choices.

They need our guidance now.

Little Shannen suffers from thalassemia major, a blood related disorder which requires a monthly blood transfusion. According to the Thalassemia Foundation of Canada’s website, thalassemia major occurs when a child inherits two mutated genes, one from each parent. Children born with thalassemia major usually develop symptoms of severe anaemia within the first year of life.

They lack the ability to produce normal, adult haemoglobin and experience chronic fatigue. They may also fail to thrive. Two major consequences of the disorder are severe anaemia and expansion of the bone marrow in the body’s effort to produce more red blood cells. This leads to poor growth, impaired physical activities, facial and other bone deformities, fragile bones and enlargement of the liver and spleen. In some cases, it can be fatal.

Speaking to Newsday yesterday, Michelle said she and her husband learnt their daughter had the disorder when she was nine-monthsold.

She said when they visited the paediatrician, Shannen was placed on a scale and the doctor noticed she had lost weight. He sent her a blood test and the diagnosis was later made. Since January 2014, Shannen has received a blood transfusion monthly at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex (EWMSC) in Mt Hope.

The family began consultations with Dr Waveny Charles who in the past, sent children to Italy to have the same procedure done.

“She told us about the transplant and the family got tested but none one of us were a 100 percent match.

We were all half matches, but she told us about this new technology with half match transplants and there have been really good results. Dr Charles recommended the hospital and the doctor and we have been raising funds since last year,” the mother of two said. The procedure will be done at the Bambino Gesu Hospital in Rome, Italy on May 2. That procedure will cost €158,000 which is approximately TT$1.2 million. In addition to the transplant, the family will need to stay in Italy for seven months to ensure Shannen recovers fully.

The Luke family has since mortgaged their home and have held a fund-raising barbeque.

Last weekend they organised a calypso show in their neighbourhood in Brazil Village where several calypsonians including Eric “Pink Panther” Taylor, Devon Seale, Karene Ashe, Duane O’Connor and Sasha Moses all performed for free. The family has also planned a cruise on the Harbour Master this Sunday from 10 am to 2 pm.

The Rotary Club of Chaguanas has also stepped in to assist the parents in raising $250,000. President of the Rotary Club of Chaguanas Michael Ibrahim said that since hearing of Shannen’s plight, the Rotary Club has come up with a plan to raise funds. Earlier this month, the Rotary Club together with the Catholic Church in Freeport held a garage and clothes sale.

He said a barbeque would be held on April 28. Ibrahim said they have also reached out to the Chaguanas Regional Corporation, the Couva/Tabaquite Regional Corporation and corporate companies for assistance. “We accepted this responsibility knowing the country is in a contraction. We accepted this responsibility knowing our corporate friends who have supported us in the past are now (cash) strapped. We accepted the responsibility because it is a child and the Rotary Club continues to work in the protection of the nation’s children.” “So we are requesting a small individual contribution of $20 per person by approximately 12,000 people. Many of the rotary clubs are supporting as well together with friends and well wishers.

Every bit will help,” Ibrahim said.

The Club is also inviting people to make any contribution they can to any Republic Bank branch account number 660297924401.

Michelle said she was thankful for all the assistance she has received from everyone and it made her see that there are a lot of good people out there. “You see sad news everywhere and it has really opened my eyes to see that there is so many good people out there that have come forward to help in anyway they can and we are very thankful,” she said.

On Friday, when Sylvan Alexis was shot dead, police officers were taken from every station in Central Division to quell lawlessness and fiery rioting which ensued.

Fire officers were also called to the area to remove burning debris while officers of the Defence Force arrived. The presence of police on Friday resulted in the seizure of three pistols, two army camouflage vests and a quantity of marijuana and ammunition.

Police maintained a heavy presence in the area of John Street on Saturday but on Sunday, shortly after 6 am, a 36-year-old man identified as Marvin Alan of Caroni Savannah Road, Chaguanas was gunned down at John Street in Enterprise. Once again additional police resources were placed in the area.

Police yesterday blamed members of the Unruly Isis gang for the murders of Alexis and Alan.

They believe a ‘war’ between the Unruly Isis known as Bopee and a faction comprising associates of “Robocop” is responsible for the chaos and bloody mayhem in Enterprise.

Yesterday, Assistant Commissioner of Police Surujdeen Persad, who is in charge of Central Division, said the police will be working around the clock using additional resources and utilising up to date surveillance technique to ensure law and order in Enterprise.

Mc Intyre was last seen leaving the bar in an angry mood.

He then rode his bike along Tumpuna Road and crashed at the corner near the bar causing him to be thrown several feet into the air.

When fellow bikers rushed to the scene Mc Intyre was already dead.

A report was made to the Arima Police Station and the body was viewed by a District Medical Officer who ordered it removed to the Forensic Science Centre. Investigations are continuing.

They (warring criminal factions) respect and ‘fraid him,” Imam Morland Lynch, of the Al Ahmad Masjid in Crowne Trace, Enterprise said yesterday.

Speaking in the aftermath of two murders on the weekend including that of Sylvan Alexis, 60, the older brother of Selwyn “Robocop” Alexis. The latter was gunned down last July.

Following the killing of Alexis last Friday evening, fiery protests erupted in the area and there is now a fear of reprisal killings.

“The place tense. The place in a mess, people are just going about their business and then hustling home,” Imam Lynch said. “At any minute it could be ‘bang, bang’. Right now they (Alexis’ associates) are just waiting to strike,” he stated.

Imam Lynch whose own son was shot dead in Enterprise a year ago said he would not leave the area because one cannot run from death. He believes the solution to the gang warfare is to have joint army and police foot patrols and, “not them drive through thing…that doesn’t work.” He added that a visit from Jamaat Al Muslimeen leader Bakr would be the catalyst to bring peace among warring gangs in the area. “Doh care how bad you is when the Imam (Bakr) call they does listen,” Lynch said. He revealed a call he got from Bakr who promised to come to the area soon.

Asked whether a curfew could assist in quelling violence Lynch said “No” and added that this would only hurt business and shift workers from the area.

Lynch who the owner of Abu’s Grill House in Enterprise, said businesses are closing down as people outside of Enterprise are no longer coming into the area.

President of the Police Social Welfare Association (PSWA) Inspector Michael Seales and former Beyond the Tape co-host and former vice president of the PSWA Inspector Roger Alexander will each have their cases begin on May 2, so too Constable Sheldon Mires.

Alexander and Mires are before the Chief Magistrate on allegations that they assaulted a man in Santa Cruz last year, while Seales is accused of making seditious comments on June 24, 2015 on Independence Square in Port-of-Spain. Alexander is charged with assaulting Christopher Charles occasioning actual bodily harm on July 12, 2016.

Mires is charged with assaulting Charles by beating him and committing common assault against him. Alexander is represented by attorneys Gilbert Peterson SC, and Lee Merry while Mires is represented by attorney John Heath. A state prosecutor is yet to be appointed to prosecute at the preliminary inquiry.

Appearing immediately after was Seales who is charged under Chapter 11:04 Section 4 (1) (B) of the Sedition Act. The prosecution’s five witnesses were present in court and were told to return to May 2, when Seales’ trial is expected to begin.

Seales was sent off duty for alleging, in a television interview on June 24, 2015, a conspiracy by the then People’s Partnership Government to “provoke” police officers and call a state of emergency (SoE) as a means of delaying the general election held later that year. Attorney Nigel Pilgrim of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions is prosecuting.

The driver was released on Sunday and managed to untie himself and alert the Maraval police.

He was treated at the St James Infirmary for complications associated with Diabetes and is now resting at home. According to reports, Curtis Cyrus was plying his taxi for hire along Independence Square in Portof- Spain at about 10.45 pm. He was approached by the men and woman who asked to be taken to Maracas Bay, on a hired trip.

Cyrus obliged and while proceeding along the North Coast Road and on reaching 150 metres before the Maracas Bay lookout, one of the men pointed a weapon at Cyrus and ordered him to stop the vehicle. He was then tied up and threw him in the back seat. Cyrus was driven to a nearby track and taken to a house where he was ordered to sit on a chair. On Sunday he was moved from the house and taken to the side of the North Coast Road. While there he managed to untie himself and discovered his car parked a short distance away. Cyrus made a check and discovered that $1,500 he had in his car was missing. Cpl Hunte of the Maracas Bay Police is continuing enquiries.

The matter has now been adjourned to April 4, when Bakr is expected to testify if he chooses to or call witnesses on his behalf.

Bakr was served a witness summons at his home at Queen’s Park West on September 9, 2013, to appear at the enquiry but failed to do so.

The private complaint was brought against Bakr by the secretary to the Commission of Enquiry for his failure to heed a summons served on him to appear before the enquiry in September 2013.

Bakr has pleaded not-guilty to the complaint.

Bakr failed to appear before the commission on two occasions — August 29, 2012, and also September 23, 2013. On the first occasion, the commission referred the matter to the DPP who took the position that he will not lay charges against Bakr for failing to answer a summons of the commission to appear before it.

Instead, the DPP told the commission it has the legal power to direct the Commissioner of Police to “prosecute the proceedings” for breach of Section 16.

When he first failed to appear in 2012, Bakr cited his then ongoing case against him in the High Court, and last year said he would appear only if he was paid to give evidence.

The private summons now before the Chief Magistrate was issued in accordance with Sections 12 and 16 of the Commissions of Inquiry Act.

Representing the commission is attorney Larry Lalla while Criston J Williams appears for Bakr.

The act will not be amended but will be a new one, he said.

Francis made the remarks in response to a question about the representation of ECCE teachers and the ECCE sector against the background of a TTUTA picketing exercise yesterday that was supported by the newly formed Early Childhood Care Workers Union outside the Ministry of Education head office, Port-of- Spain. “It is our intention to have ECCE regularised as part of the teaching profession. At this moment they are not included in the Education Act,” he said.

“The Education Act of 1964 does not include the ECCE. It does not include the tertiary sector.

Now we have one education system that could be seamless from ECCE to tertiary and the educ act should reflect them,” he said.