(Trinidad Guardian) Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley says his statements on domestic violence during his Conversation with the Prime Minister were misinterpreted by some groups, who are now claiming he blamed murder victim Jamilia DeRevenaux for the heinous act that took place at MovieTowne on Sunday.
In a press release from the Office of the Prime Minister on Tuesday, Rowley said in conversing with the people on Monday in Maloney, his statement had been “taken out of context.” He categorically rejected this interpretation of his statement, saying his comments were made based on a statement from the audience which lamented that domestic violence was so pervasive and happening within private spaces and in their homes.
“The Prime Minister, having already responded on the various strategies to deal with violence, further advised that while he could provide protection in the wider environment for women, he could not provide such protection in the private spaces and lives.
“The Prime Minister, being a father and grandfather and understanding the importance of the association we keep and our personal well-being, offered further empowering advice to our women, by advising women that you have the responsibility to determine who you associate with and know when to get out,” the press release stated.
He said as Prime Minister, he wants women to be empowered and to make smart choices.
“The Prime Minister does not blame the victims of domestic violence, but rather sympathises with the victims and the families of both the victims and the perpetrators. The Prime Minister is aware that such acts of violence are a clear signal for help by both victim and perpetrator,” the release stated.
Rowley said he was treating with amendments to the legislation to offer greater protection to domestic violence victims and has pushed for women’s issues from inception.
The release said because of the importance of women and children’s issues, the PM included this in his portfolio at the OPM.
“The Office of the Prime Minister does not condone domestic violence and is doing everything possible to reduce this scourge. The Office of the Prime Minister has been working diligently to ensure that acts of domestic violence and all forms of gender-based violence are reduced significantly or eliminated from our country by assiduously pursuing strategic objectives.”
Some of the objectives, the release said, are to prevent, punish and eradicate gender-based violence by creating the institutions and administrative structure for victims and perpetrators of gender-based violence and build mutual respect between men and women, improve the quality of life of men, women, boys and girls at all levels of society, through the promotion of gender equity and equality, research and dissemination information on gender specific issues.
In order to achieve the stated objectives, the release said the Gender Affairs Division continues to develop projects and programmes to address these issues, including a community-based action plan to end gender-based violence in T&T.
The release urged the public, victims or observers to call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-SAVE (7283) to report incidents of domestic and gender violence, adding referrals can also be made for directing the victim to a place of safety or shelter.
“We grieve with the public as we see this social ill destroying families, because children and close relations are sometimes caught in the domestic war. The Office of the Prime Minister will continue our drive to advocate against domestic violence for both men and women. We will continue to build awareness and promote strategies to prevent domestic violence. Eliminating domestic violence and protecting victims of such remains a core outcome,”the release concluded
