Police must do more to prevent bloodshed

Some of the participants during the peace walk in Fyzabad on Saturday. Photo by Marvin Hamilton - Marvin Hamilton
Some of the participants during the peace walk in Fyzabad on Saturday. Photo by Marvin Hamilton - Marvin Hamilton

The mother of a woman who was shot dead in what has been classified as a domestic violence killing pleaded with police on Saturday to be proactive to prevent bloodshed.

Mala Du Barry wept openly during a peace walk organised by Fyzabad MP Lackram Bodoe in support of the elimination of violence against women on Saturday.

The walk started outside Du Barry’s Jebodhsingh Drive home in Avocat and ended at his constituency office at Fyzabad.

She said domestic violence against women is out of control. Her daughter, Gabriella, 28, was shot and killed near her home on January 9. Her estranged partner has been charged with her murder and the case is pending at the Siparia Magistrates Court.

"In TT, it is very bad and out of control. You hear about it from all over, but you never think it will come home to you unexpectedly," she said.

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"We hope it will do something to the country. Maybe it will, maybe it will not. It is very hard for all of us (relatives). We are coping one day at a time."

Reporters asked for her views on the launch of the police Gender-Based Violence Unit (GBVU).

"It is good but is if something would come out of it."

She suggested that investigators do "better follows up" when a woman makes domestic-related reports to police. Du Barry said sometimes nothing happens until the person dies.

Gabriella was among four women killed in separate domestic-related cases for the year.

Scores of people, many with placards, took part in the walk. One placard read, No means no and another, Control yourself, not women.

Some of the groups which took part were Young Generation Music Band, St John’s Trace/Oropouche Police Youth club, Team Siparia East/ San Francique South, the Southern Scarlets Cheer Club and Civilian Conservation Corps

Bodoe said the walk was to create awareness about domestic violence and to send a message to TT, the potential offenders, parents and society.

"TT cannot continue like this. I am hoping that amendments are made concerning the Domestic Violence Act. There have been several proposed amendments and discussions have been taking place on two issues," the Fyzabad MP said.

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One relates to the issue of no bail for those who breach protection orders. The other is the issue of an electronic monitoring bracelet for offenders.

"I call upon the national security minister to consider implementing this measure as soon as possible. I know the attorney general has given the undertaking that he would at revisiting the Domestic Violence Act."

Another vital amendment, he said, is the mandatory reporting of offences by witnesses.

Many times, people see but they do not say anything, he said.

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"Police must do more to prevent bloodshed"

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