Domestic violence against teenage girls rising

Senior Reporter

jannelle.bernard@cnc3.co.tt

The permanent secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister Gender and Child Affairs Unit says the number of teenage girls facing domestic violence is increasing in this country.

Speaking during a National Youth Rally at Queen’s Hall yesterday as 16 days of activism kicked off with the commemoration of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, Vijay Gangapersad said the number of women reporting being abused had been rising. He said teenage girls had also been reporting this type of abuse.

“The data is suggesting that this is a youthful phenomenon, with the vast majority of victims ranging between the ages of 15 to 34. We must understand what the data is saying to us as Trinbagonians. This is unacceptable, this is intolerable, and this must change.”

He emphasised the need for men to make their voices heard in the fight against gender-based violence.

“Men have a critical role to play to end gender-based violence and to amplify the voices of women and those organisations that are already in the field trying to do this enormous task,” he said.

He added that young people had the power to influence positive behavioural changes.

“It is time for you to take a stand and raise awareness about the impact of domestic violence and all forms of gender-based violence on your peers and your communities, he said.

Gangapersad said that offering women support after they have been abused is not enough.

“We cannot continue to come day after day, month after month, year after year, and offer women and girls services for the abominable acts of violence that they endure. This only has a place in a society that has come to accept violence against women and girls as a feature of our landscape,” he said.

“We must not and should not accept this as our reality. We must invest in education that empowers, promote initiatives that address the root causes of violence, and engage in collective action that is focused on prevention and actions to protect and elevate our women and girls.”

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