The first public service by the Rape Crisis Society (RCS) started 22 years as a hot line for victims of rape. Although initially offered three (3) times a week, it eventually expanded to a full twenty-four hour service, and then to a walk-in face-to-face counselling clinic. The RCS then expanded its programme to include victims of domestic violence, child sexual abuse/incest, family problems and personal conflicts. This was in answer to the escalating problems which seemed related to unemployment, drug problems and other debilitating social problems through the eighties and nineties.

The RCS instituted a pro-active approach to reduce the crimes of sexual and domestic violence as well as to provide some treatment to victims and offenders as far as possible. Supporting programmes pursued, included the Agro Processing Production Programme, the Community Caravan, Young Male Awareness, the Survivor’s Support Group and the Youth Arm of the RCS. The Agro Processing Production Programme was born to aid in the journey of autonomy for the women, who are very hard pressed to leave their abusive situations because of their financial dependence on their abusers. This is a culinary skills programme where the art of preserving fruits are taught as well as baking and the making of wines and liqueurs.

The rest of the programmes are all geared to sensitize the public about the crimes of sexual and domestic violence. The young male awareness programme, targeting 13 to 19 year old males teaches respect and consideration for females, and also deals with incest and child abuse. The Community Caravan educates the very young children about inappropriate touching and molestation.

The staff of the Trinidad and Tobago Rape Crisis Society train and advise social and community workers attached to “Crisis Centres” in other Caribbean countries. Public education, counselling and referrals play dominant roles in the operations of the RCS. This has proved beneficial in many communities. The lives of many victims have been healed and enhanced by the RCS. In addition, as the RCS officials pointed out, there are “many cases where the perpetrators have voluntarily been counselled, first through the hotline and then through the walk-in clinic.” Society on the whole has benefited from the services of this NGO.

Contact Details
Contact person: Professor Ramesh Deosaran, Director for Centre for Criminology and Criminal Justice (CCCJ), University of the West Indies, St Augustine Campus.
Telephone: 1 (868) 645-3232 ext 3352, 3355
Fax: 1 (868) 645-1020
Email: rdeosaran@fss.uwi.tt