Griffith wants public to help deal with domestic violence

HELP US to help you!

That was the call of Police Commissioner Gary Griffith to members of the public. He is asking them to come forward with information on domestic violence situations which sometimes end in murders.

Griffith, at the weekly police media briefing at Sackville Street, Port of Spain on Thursday, said on too many occasions relatives of victims of domestic violence say they were aware of the abuse but failed to report it.

“We cannot wait until something happens to recognise how important this matter is and how serious it is. Domestic violence has increased worldwide. That is not an excuse in TT to justify it. There is belief that the police can do it alone. I am here to provide solutions rather than defend the police and blame everyone else.”

He added: “What happens is family, friends, co-workers, cousins, all, you get it by the dozens after the fact stating how long this has been going on or how long they knew about it. But when the police look, there is no report made about it.”

On Tuesday, Reshma Kanchan, 25, was chopped to death by a man while on her way to work. He tried to end his own life after the attack. Kanchan lived at Laltoo Trace in Penal with her two daughters – five and two, her 50-year-old mother, Davica Kanchan, and other relatives.

Expressing condolences to the family, Griffith said time has come for everyone to work together to end domestic violence. He said he has been advocating for mandatory reporting to police when someone visits medical institutions with injuries from physical assaults, similar to what takes place with gunshot wounds.

“What we need to do is definitely not play the blame game. What we need to do is come together and find solutions. What we continue to see is when it becomes a heinous crime, it becomes substance and importance to many.”

Griffith said the Gender Based Violence Unit (GBVU) is doing the best it can, but without the information they are stymied. He called on citizens not only to report the matter but insist that it be transferred to the GBVU and that the person reporting it demand a receipt so that in the event of inaction by the police, he can discipline errant officers.

He hinted that there is a legislative issue that should also be addressed as attackers in many cases can access and are granted bail. He advised women to bring their abuse to the attention of the police before it is too late.

“We want to help. We need the information. Help us to help you. We want this to stop.”