It came after Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar addressed the House of Representatives and urged women not to endure any abuse from men and if they are victims they should go to the police and report the matter.
Her advice came in a message to mark the United Nations’ (UN) International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. She said while women are guaranteed equality "our hearts are made heavy by negative forces that stifle this right."
She said, “I am directly referring to the continued rise in violence against women via domestic abuse, murders targeting women and sexual abuse against our women in various forms.”
The country's first female leader said despite the protection of the law women continue to suffer abuse while remaining silent for fear of retribution if they speak up.
“That silence, I acknowledge, is the direct result of fear, which condemns women and other victims of abuse in this country to live in psychological, physical, mental and emotional trauma.”
She added that all citizens - especially women - should know their rights under the Constitution. The Prime Minister noted that everyone has the right to life and liberty, freedom of thought and expression and equality before the law.
She noted that the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights proclaims that all people are “born free and equal in dignity and rights” and added that her Government is committed to ensure all citizens are treated equally.
She said there are laws that give abuse victims safe and effective ways of reporting these crimes to the police. In addition, she said the new Ministry of the People and Social Development is providing shelters and support groups for women victims of abuse.
“I give the assurance that the plight of any abused citizen, and especially abused women and children, will never fall on deaf ears as long as your People’s Partnership Government is in power,” she declared.
“But the sad fact is, as is the case with most crimes of abuse, we cannot help victims unless that code of silence is broken.
“And so, I urge all citizens to now come forward, if you are a victim of abuse or know someone who is a victim of abuse. Contact the police and your local Social Services office to ensure that help is made available for these victims immediately,” she said. “This is your responsibility and duty as a citizen of this country...
“Look around at the country and tell yourselves that we all have to work to end violence against our fellow citizens once and for all,” she said noting that men and women are all equal in the eyes of the law, under God and among each other.
"We want to be respected, not to be victims of abuse in any form," she said.
Read related column by Fazeela Jiwa. The column was written in 2009 in reaction to the murder of of four girls by their own family.
Also related: Commentary: Culture, family values and murder
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