Trinidad and Tobago faces a devastating surge in gender-based violence as the nation grapples with three separate femicide cases within two weeks, exposing critical failures in domestic violence protection systems. The recent tragedies have sparked national outrage and forced government officials to confront systemic inadequacies in safeguarding vulnerable women.
The violence culminated with the December 8th murder of Angel Lutchman, a 42-year-old mother of two from Claxton Bay, who was brutally killed by her ex-boyfriend despite having an active restraining order against him. Shazard Mohammed, 29, allegedly stabbed and slit Lutchman’s throat before dying by suicide. The victim’s 12-year-old son made the horrific discovery upon returning home from a relative’s house.
This tragedy follows the November 23rd murder-suicide involving UNC councillor Romona Victor, 36, killed by her husband Rodney Ramsumair, 45, at their Siparia residence. Just days later on December 7th, Nicole Ovid, 56, was found dead on a pavement in St. James following an alleged altercation with an acquaintance who subsequently surrendered to police.
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who had previously vowed to strengthen crisis support systems at Victor’s funeral, now faces mounting criticism. When questioned about concrete plans to address violence against women, the Prime Minister stated she had requested information from Gender Affairs Minister Vandana Mohit but provided no specific timeline or strategy.
Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander acknowledged fundamental flaws in the restraining order system, admitting: ‘I have always said that the programme does not work well. We are taking a look at it to see how best we can treat with it.’ He emphasized the need for educational initiatives starting at school level to address domestic violence prevention.
Opposition leader Mickela Panday delivered a powerful social media statement condemning the cultural acceptance of gender-based violence. The attorney and daughter of former prime minister Basdeo Panday highlighted how ‘coercive control, monitoring, threats, financial manipulation, and isolation break a woman down until she doubts her own reality.’ She criticized victim-blaming tendencies and demanded perpetrator accountability, urging police to treat every report with urgency and properly enforce protection orders.
Panday proposed comprehensive reforms including increased safe houses, financial support for women escaping abusive relationships, strengthened laws, rehabilitation programs for abusers, and relationship education in schools to break the intergenerational cycle of violence.
As autopsies for Lutchman and Ovid proceed at the Forensic Science Centre, investigations continue while the nation confronts its gendered violence epidemic that has left multiple families shattered and communities demanding immediate action.