This week 18 degrees North presents its 10^th episode, entitled 10 Haitian Juveniles Lock-ups part 3.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PLzLxEE3VaCZcqzMbp9HQPeK2WREH3Gw7m&feature=player_embedded&v=kIbz9diHVVU

            Gangs, violence and discriminantion are afforded for the epidemic where a Hatian demographic under 5% can populate the jail at more than 10%. The discrimination faced also derived from other blacks who saw the Haitians as different. Culture and language barriers are noted also with issues such as low income jobs and parenting methods. Futhermore, even official and administrative attempts to rectify this situation although long implemented have all proved futile. 

            Interviewed Minto Jean, shares his tale of struggles and how he upgraded from fist fights to armed weapons as a means to survival. His mother, a single parent wasn't even aware of these events in his life. His life includes being shot, gun possession and witnessing murders.

            Although, its the issue of  Hatian immigrants to the United States which 18 Degrees North highlights, this is a common story among both internal and external Caribbean migrants. However, is it that all imigrants that face these issues of adaptation?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Acc9LvFOnJw

        Also in this week's episode of 18  degrees north, they dealt with veterans who served in the US Military being abandoned to foreign countries if they committed  any type of crime. Most of these veterans spent most of their lives in the United States and also most of their lives serving in the US Military, there lives were at risk for their country. If any veteran commits a crime he will be sent to either the country he came from or in some cases a foreign country.

     War affected most of the veterans physically or psychologically as most of them would have been wounded or suffered from mental trauma or become depressed.

 Trailer from Home of the Brave - a show about persons returning from war

     According to an article in the LA Times, an Iraq war veteran who claimed he was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder when he fatally stabbed his girlfriend was convicted Friday of murder.

Many veterans need help as they also suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder.

     If a veteran commits a crime in the US he or she should be indicted and incarcerated in the US. it is definitely harsh to be deported to a foreign country, when you would have lived most of your life in the US.Language and cultural barriers are two main disadvantages of being deported to a foreign country.

      An article in the Washington Post, speaks about a US veteran by the name of Milton Tepeyak. He served eight years in the US Marine where according to the article he later ran a seafood business, drive a BMW and owed a five bedroom house with a pool. His business took a turn for the worse and he participated in a drug deal and got caught by police. He was convicted of felony possession of marijuana. He had lived in the US from the age of 3 and was deported.


    Another story is that of Warren, told by his sister Angela Joseph on BreakthroughTV. Trinbagoian born Warren migrated and served in the US Military. After suffering from Post Traumatic Stresss he subsequently turned to life of crime. The United States however, failed to comprehensively care for him and opted then to deport him.

Child Abuse in the Caribbean - Trinidad and Tobago

 

 

18Degrees North – Child Abuse in the Caribbean

Link to the video http://www.18degreesnorth.tv/child-abuse-in-the-caribbean/

             The programme 18 Degrees north, has launched a series dedicated to highlighting issues of Child Sex Abuse in the Caribbean.  The reporter offered that a 2012 UNICEF Report highlighted 80% of the regional islands failed to provide laws and safeguards for children’s protection and implement proper sanctions for the perpetrators. In its’ first episode, the light is shone on Trinidad and Tobago the so called “Power House of the Caribbean.”  

Highlighting the 1998 case of 11-year old child victim Akiel Chambers, the presenter hinted of corruption and/mismanagement by the police and other officials. After stating that he drowned, it was later revealed that he had been smothered and molested. It was also noted, “…crucial evidence disappeared, and key suspects were allowed to leave the country.”

 This leads us to think whether it depends on the status, geographic location and race of the perpetrators and the victims that will decide if justice will be granted or not. In the aforementioned case, why wasn’t a DNA test done on all the male adults at the party to determine which matched the sperm found in Akile. This is indeed a case of lack of justice for victims and their families. It’s an example of a poorly-handled case in Trinidad and Tobago. Haleland Maraval is known as an affluent area in Trinidad, can this be the reason as to why no one has been charged with the murder of Akile Chambers?

Are children being targeted because they are more gullible and timid, because they are most times scared to speak out?

Then consider Jerry, a 35year old who is blessed to have survived an abusive childhood. Abandoned as a babe, he grew up in a home (institution for abandoned and neglected children) and was assaulted by a “doctor”, until he left at age 18.  He had then spoken to the care givers about his ordeal, but to their disbelief. Jerry has since made several attempts to get justice for the crime against him as well as highlight the issues around such. The problem is Jerry’s cry has yet to be heard and dealt with from a governmental standpoint.

 Is it truly that the “Absence of a coherent national strategy is contributing to the lack of justice for victims,” as was deemed by the presenter.

On August 7^th 2013, the Express quoted the Gender Youth and Child Development Minister Marlene Coudray at the opening of 4 new buildings at the St Mary’s Children Home (SMCH) in Tacarigua.

“We are getting reports very regularly on abuse to children. I want to assure you that the Ministry is taking very seriously all these reports of abuse to children at homes and institutions. I want to make it quite clear that anyone who takes charge of the care of children and abuses their rights will feel the full weight of the justice system. The abuse of children of any form will be met with aggressive action from this Ministry. Abuse of children must stop.”

A few months later…

On October 14^th 2013, a mere months after Mrs Coudray’s speech comes the death of 2mth old Andre Mowlah, who died from multiple fractures to the skull and contusion to the brain at the hands of a 34yr old male relative. The mother of the child and the relative had an argument which led to him picking up the child and throwing him to the ground. The mother claimed “He (the close male relative) throw down the child on the ground before. He used to say he sorry. But you cannot be sorry and do it more than once.”  

Cases of child abuse in Trinidad and Tobago:

Aliyah Johnson – two-year old girl suffered a blow to her belly that caused her to bleed to death.

Akile Chambers – 11 year old boy smothered and molested and body found in a  crouched position in a pool.

Amy Annamunthodo - four-year old girl whose hair was tied to a piece of cloth and she was strung to a door frame, she was gagged with a knotted plastic bag and punched about her body approximately 20 to 30 times.

 Hope Arismandez – Eight year old was raped, buggered and stabbed to death.

 Sean Luke – Six year old buggered with canestalk and killed.

Bibliography

Trinidad and Tobago's Newsday : newsday.co.tt :. (n.d.). Trinidad and Tobago's Newsday : newsday.co.tt :. Retrieved October, from http://www.newsday.co.tt/news/0,79702.html