System Failure - Trini Edition
In 2020, the Domestic Violence Act was amended, and TTPS established a Gender based violence Unit. But somehow, I am afraid that this isn't enough. Even more, the Office of the Prime Minister has facilitated the creation and operationalization of numerous safe spaces and shelters for women to take refuge. But yet, this has proven to not be enough. Is it that we are missing something ? In our pursuit to figure out what is missing; scores of people have called for harsher penalties for violent crimes against women. The controversial topics surrounding the death penalty, and the creation of non-bailable offences have again surfaced. But, will these things act as any type of deterrent to Gender based violence?
You see, it is my view that many aspects of our society's system create Gender based violence perpetrators. As we say in local parlance 'he in just wake up one mornin and decide to kill she'. Violence and abuse is a cycle. 'He in just wake up one mornin and decide to kidnap and rape she'. It has been layers and layers of our society's systems that created this monstrous behaviour. These men and women have passed through our health sector, our education sector, our social service sector, and even our court systems. Yet, they were not flagged for any type of intervention, if they were; they were not successful.
At least, they most definitely they passed through a minimum of 7 years in our Primary Education system; what happened there? Are these the same children that our system defines as 'duncy' because they couldn't cope with the learning method of our current classrooms? They then possibly passed through our secondary education system, what happened here? You see, it is the view that our current curriculum finds it more important for us to learn how to find the square root of X, than learn about emotional impulse control. It seems to not find it important for students to learn how to identify toxic beheviours in partners, or learning how to manage anger. What about mental health? Have we done anything to teach our children about maintaining good mental health, or are we still believing that mental health and mental illness are one of the same factors. Somehow, our Education System doesn't see it fit to educate boys and girls about important principles such as sexual consent, but we drill the importance of learning second and third languages. Don't give me wrong, these are important. But, it seems our colonial roots have not done much for us, as they have left us with systems that are outdated, and irrelevant to our present realities. Because, something is truly missing from the all respected equation.
Stories like Andrea and Ashanti are the ones we hear about. They may be among the worst, and the media makes them aware. But, abuse and gender based violence exist on many levels in our society. Some that you will never hear about; women and girls in our society cry and are in pain daily and you will never hear about it. Their silence is out of fear, and they are silenced into fear by their abusers. Some even make silent reports to the TTPS, but what can be done? In the rare instance that a charge is laid, some of these men are the sole bread winners of homes. Yes, there is a significant part of our society that still have these realities. What does it mean for them; 'is either lix but d chirren eatin' or 'he get lock up and we have nuttin to eat'. Guess what they'll do. :/
The intersections that exist around gender based violence is rooted in our systems, so much that we may be creating them. Moreover, within our systems there is an overburdened mechanism to mitigate the effects of their creation. Thus, we are watered down our approach to that of a reactive nature; we react to matters of abuse rather than prevent it. But, now we are seeing that even our reactive system is failing us. Rather, they have failed us for some time. What we are seeing today is a society that need thorough systemic reform, and restructure. Because, our reactive arms such as the TTPS and the courts are overburdened.
My two cents
Well said! I think it is important that citizens are educated to look at the situation through the same lens. It is also imperative that Trinidad recognizes and imitates changes to the cultural flaws that directly diverts justice from being served. My person story amongst countless others is the same:
ReplyDelete1) Be a woman
2) Get abused
3) Muster up enough courage to report it
4) Report it
5) Be told, “ Well Miss, what you do to upset the man?” or “This seems like a civil matter.”
The severity of Gender Based Violence is not new or news to the people of Trinidad. There is a reason why families are overly protective of “girl children” which in and off itself contributes to the problem. The larger issue at hand, is the fact that we are not an emotionally or financially stable nation. Violence is an interpersonal behaviour that is both a stimulus and consequence of an interaction. Most cases are not like the Andrea Bharatt and Ashanti Riley cases where an absolute stranger abuses them. Most cases are in fact coming from someone close to the victim or victim’s family. Violence is an interpersonal behaviour that is both a stimulus and consequence of an interaction. We need schools, support groups and almost a mandatory culture shift in our protective systems to learn, teach and address the trauma caused and normalize preventative and outreach measures moving forward.