Gender-based Violence (GBV)
Introduction
According to the Inter-Agency Standing Committee, an inter-agency forum of UN and non-UN humanitarian partners, gender-based violence (GBV) is “an umbrella term for any harmful act that is perpetrated against a person’s will and that is based on socially ascribed (i.e. gender) differences between males and females. It includes acts that inflict physical, sexual or mental harm or suffering, threats of such acts, coercion, and other deprivations of liberty. These acts can occur in public or in private.”
There are 6 core types of GBV:
Rape: non-consensual penetration (however slight) of the vagina, anus or mouth with a penis or other body part. Also includes penetration of the vagina or anus with an object.
Sexual Assault: any form of non-consensual sexual contact that does not result in or include penetration. Examples include: attempted rape, as well as unwanted kissing, fondling, or touching of genitalia and buttocks.
Physical Assault: an act of physical violence that is not sexual in nature. Examples include: hitting, slapping, choking, cutting, shoving, burning, shooting or use of any weapons, acid attacks or any other act that results in pain, discomfort or injury. Forced marriage and child marriage (also referred to as early marriage).
Forced marriage is the marriage of an individual against her or his will. Child marriage is a formal marriage or informal union before age 18. Even though some countries permit marriage before age 18, international human rights standards classify these as child marriages, reasoning that those under age 18 are unable to give informed consent. Therefore, child marriage is a form of forced marriage as children are not legally competent to agree to such unions.
Denial of resources, opportunities or services: denial of rightful access to economic resources/assets or livelihood opportunities, education, health or other social services. Examples include a widow prevented from receiving an inheritance, earnings forcibly taken by an intimate partner or family member, a woman prevented from using contraceptives, a girl prevented from attending school, etc. Reports of general poverty should not be recorded.
Psychological / Emotional Abuse: infliction of mental or emotional pain or injury. Examples include: threats of physical or sexual violence, intimidation, humiliation, forced isolation, stalking, verbal harassment, unwanted attention, remarks, gestures or written words of a sexual and/or menacing nature, destruction of cherished things, etc.
However GBV can also include:
- Sexual Harassment (unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature)
- Survival Sex (a form of prostitution engaged in by a person to secure basic human needs such as food or shelter)
- Transactional Sex (sexual relationships where the giving and/or receiving of gifts, money or other services is an important factor)
- Trafficking in Persons (the trade of humans for the purpose of forced labour, sexual slavery, or commercial sexual exploitation for the trafficker or others)
- Intimate Partner Violence, also known as Domestic Abuse (includes physical, sexual, and emotional abuse and controlling behaviours by an intimate partner such as a spouse)
Service Providers
contact information
Here is a short list of service providers that can help you or someone you know that may be a victim of gender based violence. Unless otherwise indicated, services are provided for both T&T nationals and non-nationals.
Telephone: 866-DVCT (3828)
Email: domesticviolence.response@ttlawcourts.org
Services: Information on applying for Protection Orders, custody or maintenance.
Coalition Against Domestic Violence (CADV):
Telephone: 624-0402
Services: Educational aid to survivors of GBV, witness support and legal aid services as well as prevention programs.
Additional Information: Available for nationals of Trinidad and Tobago only
Women’s Institute for Alternative Development (WINAD):
Telephone: 680-0354
Services Include: Training and mentoring for women and girls and legal support for migrants
Additional Information: English and Spanish language capacity
Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS):
Telephone: 999
Additional Information: English only, Spanish translation only available upon request, available 24 hours
National Domestic Violence Hotline:
Telephone: 800-SAVE
Additional Information: Through the hotline, needs of survivors are identified and referrals made to relevant organisations, including shelter support and TTPS, available 24 hours
Family Planning Association of Trinidad and Tobago (FPATT):
Telephone: 733-6703, Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm (GBV Hotline available in English, with limited Spanish speaking capacity)
Services Include: GBV screening, counselling and referral services, GBV case management, medical consultations with a general practitioner, testing for STIs and HIV, provision of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).
Telephone: 627-7273 (24 hour hotline), 866-SGBV (7428), Daily 6:00AM – 6:00PM (GBV Toll Free Hotline, Spanish speaking capacity)
Services Include: Psycho-social counselling for survivors of gender based violence
Additional Information: English and Spanish speaking capacity
TTPS Victim and Witness Support Unit:
Telephone: 624-8853
Email: victimandwitnesttps@gmail.com
Services Include: Counselling and case management for survivors of gender based violence
Additional Information: English and Spanish capacity
The Shelter: A Safe House for Victims of Domestic Violence:
Telephone: 345-4218, Mon-Fri 7:00am-6:00pm
Services include: Accomodation, legal aid, job placement, counselling, food and clothing.
Additional Information: For nationals of Trinidad and Tobago only
Living Water Community: Ministry for Migrants and Refugees:
Telephone:
Hotline: 866-0025 (Mon-Fri 8:00am-4:00pm)
Whatsapp and Text Message: 296-3562 (Mon-Fri 8:00am-4:00pm)
Email: contact@lwcrefugee.org
Services include: Limited safe shelter, counselling, case management, legal aid, education for children of survivors, food and clothing.
Additional Information: English and spanish Capacity, available only to migrants, refugees and asylum seekers.
For a more extensive listing of service providers and available resources, please visit: https://lokjackgsb.edu.tt/2021/03/04/catalogue-of-services-for-the-economic-empowerment-of-women/.
For additional resources or information for survivors of gender-based violence, please click here to access the Journey for Justice: A Survivor’s Handbook.