By Sue-Ann Wayow
BE aware of what you share on the internet.
Head of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) Gender Based Violence Unit Superintendent Claire Guy-Alleyne gave this advice on Wednesday as she spoke during a virtual town meeting hosted by the Gender and Child Affairs Division of the Office of the Prime Minister.
The meeting entitled Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence and Its Impact on Mental Health aimed at raising awareness about online abuse.
Guy-Alleyne advised, “Be aware of your children online and offline activities. We are asking adults as well, be aware of what you are sharing on the internet because it can have life-changing and life-damning effects to you and your life.”
She said more can be done to assist victims of online abuse.
“We all must work together to develop effective policies, protocols and seamless referral systems to ensure a coordinated response and effective protection for survival,” Guy-Alleyne said.
A multifaceted approach was needed she said.
This could include increasing awareness about cyber violence and providing support to survivors.
Guy-Alleyne said, “We also need to invest in resources and support for survivors. For example, invest in more shelters, we need more financial support, counselling services and legal aid just to name a few.”
“We need to strengthen laws and law enforcement efforts to better address these crimes and hold perpetrators accountable,” she added.
The monitoring on online activity, a specialised task force and harsher penalties for those convicted of gender-based violence or child abuse offences were some suggestions.
While Trinidad and Tobago do not have a Cyber Crime Act enshrined, there were other laws that the police can use to combat some of the online crimes Guy- Alleyne said.
They include: the Summary Offences Act, the Offence against a Person Act, Computer Misuse Act, the Sedition Act and a series of offences outlined in the Children’s Act.
“We really need to amend the laws and change terms, that narrative of child pornography we need to have it removed,” she added.
To the persons making reports about cyber bullying and other forms of cyber offences, she assured that they will be taken seriously by the police admitting that it may be a bit more difficult to track cyber offenders.
Guy-Alleyne said, “The TTPS would investigate these matters. Perpetrators can often evade detection by using technology and this sometimes can make it difficult for law enforcement to catch them. This is problematic for child abuse cases where victims may not have the language or the understanding to articulate what is happening to them.”
It was a problem that required immediate and constant attention and action she noted.
Also speaking at the meeting was Independent Senator Dr Varma Deyalsingh, Director of the Ministry of Health’s Mental Health Unit Dr Hazel Othello, from the Ministry of Digital Transformation –Dr Andrea Kanneh and Director of ClickToStart Foundation Abigail Wren.
