By Sue-Ann Wayow
YOUNG girls, scarred by sexual offences, recently underwent a programme organised by the police to better assist them in moving on in a healthy manner with their lives.
The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) stated that with increasing concern about the far-reaching consequences of sexual offences against minors, its Victim and Witness Support Unit (VWSU), recently hosted a group intervention programme aimed at supporting teenage female victims of sexual assault.
The VWSU notes that in 2022, it supported 243 minors who were affected by sexual offences, with 207 of those being females.
The Central Division’s VWSU received a total of 45 referrals for sexual offences against minors in 2022, with 42 of these cases affecting teenage girls.
The intervention program took place from April 3 to April 5 with an additional session for parents and guardians held on April 11.
In a media release on Thursday, the TTPS stated that the initiative brought together 15 female clients of the Central Division’s VWSU for the crucial intervention which was facilitated by Victim and Witness Support Officers (VWSO) Dafina Tyson and Jordan Noreiga, assisted by Tia Marie Bacchus.
Further assistance was rendered by the Family Planning Association and the Trinidad and Tobago Red Cross.
The Pyscho-Educational Group Intervention focused on the development of appropriate coping skills for the clients and provided a safe and supportive environment where participants were able to share their experiences and feelings with others who have been through similar experiences.
Guest speakers at the intervention, Starr Chaitoo and Kyslie Romain, shared their experiences with progress, healing and resilience with the participants.
At the end of the program, participants expressed increased hope and having the ability to envision a positive future for themselves.
The release stated that the VWSU says it will repeat the intervention in the future as needed, since all the clients exhibited psychological, behavioural, physical, relationship, academic and social effects as a result of their experiences.
The VWSU says if left unaddressed, the effects of sexual abuse of teenage girls can persist into adulthood leading to problems with their mental health and relationships and there was a great need for them to receive the appropriate support and resources necessary to facilitate their healing and recovery.
