COVER PAGE

YEAR: 2024

SUBJECT: SOCIAL STUDIES

CANDIDATE NUMBER:

CANDIDATE NAME: DANIEL A. BISSOONDIAL

TITLE OF PROJECT: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

NAME OF TEACHER: MRS. LILIA DONAWA

1
 TABLE OF CONTENT

 Acknowledgements 3

 Introduction 4

 Statement of Problem 5

 Reason for choosing the area of research 6

 Method of Investigation 7

 Data Collection 8

 Procedure of Data Collection 9

 Presentation of Data 10

 Analysis and Interpretation of Data 11

 Statement of Findings 12

 Recommendations 13

 Conclusion 14

 Bibliography 15

 Appendix 16

2
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

The successful completion of this topic and study would not have been possible without the

assistance and cooperation of a number of people. But first, I’d like to thank my mother for

highlighting this pertinent topic negatively affecting society today in Trinidad & Tobago. I

would also like to express my gratitude to Miss Donawa for her full academic support and

guidance over the years.

3
INTRODUCTION:

Domestic violence is violence that can be started by someone in the victim's domestic circle/

relationship. This includes partners and ex-partners, immediate family members, other

relatives and family friends. Five types of Domestic Violence are:-

 physical violence.

 verbal violence (including hate speech)

 psychological violence.

 sexual violence.

 socio-economic violence.

These can take the form of: hitting, slapping, punching, kicking, burning, strangulation, damaging

personal property, refusing medical care and/or controlling medication, coercing partner into

substance abuse and /or use of weapons.

4
REASON FOR CHOOSING THE AREA OF RESEARCH:

The area of which persons suffer from domestic violence which can absolutely affect their

lives. This knowledge is important to me as I can enlighten others on this in hopes that

change can occur.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM:

What are the effects of domestic violence in the community of interest for this study i.e.

Freeport?

 Low self-worth

 Mentally Challenged

 Uncontrollable behavioral moods

 PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)

 Living in fear

5
AREA OF STUDY:

Data from the Crime and Problem Analysis (CAPA) Branch of the Trinidad & Tobago Police

Service (TTPS) revealed that there were approximately 11,441 reports relating to domestic

violence incidents between 2010 and 2015. Approximately 75% of these reports were related

to female individuals. During the same period there were 131 domestic violence related

deaths of which 56% were female. Freeport is a town in Trinidad, Located in west-central

Trinidad. It has a population of approximately 11850, and is governed by the Couva–

Tabaquite–Talparo Regional Corporation. This region has a population of approximtely

178,410. I have been a resident of Freeport for approximately 16 years, in recent times it has

been observed via social media news platforms, radio news, television newsroom and

newpapers, that there is an increase in the occurrence of domestic violence. This issue needs

to be investigated so that we can find out the cause of the problem and solutions to decrease

the issue. Therefore, data analysis was drawn from persons in this particular area to gather

data via questionaires as a tool used to support this project findings.

6
Map of Trinidad and Tobago by Regional corporations

7
METHOD OF INVESTIGATION:

For the completion of this project a pre- approved questionnaire was utilized. As a tool for

data collection questionnaires have many advantages such as:

-Questionnaires are more efficient as they are easily distributed and completed in a timely

manner.

-Questionnaires provide data that is simple to analyse and easy to demonstrate through pie

charts diagrams or table.

-Questionnaires are one of the most ways to gather large amounts of data in a short space of

time

-Questionnaires allow participants to remain anonymous and therefore participants are more

likely to respond honestly and express their perspectives on sensitive issues.

-The information obtained from questionnaires are straight forward and data is plentiful.

-The structure of questionnaires are simple and easy to follow making it understandable for

participants.

8
DATA COLLECTION INSTRUMENT:

Dear citizens,

Thank you for your interest and participation in this study. In order to carry out

my investigation, by gathering numerical data, a list of question sheets would be distributed

among the Freeport community. This is to assist me in the completion of my Social Studies

School Based Assessment (S.B.A). I look forward to you answering with honesty, without

fear of being wrong or putting your names on the sheets. Your confidentiality would be

respected.

Sincerely yours,
Daniel A. Bissoondial

QUESTIONNAIRE:
9
1.Sex?
Male Female

2.How long have you been living in Freeport?

5-10 years 10-15 years 20-25 years  30+ years

3.What is your age group?

15-20 years 20-30 years 30-40 years 40 years+

4.What you think is/are the factor(s) in domestic violence? (Tick all that applies)
Sexual Abuse Physical Abuse Verbal Abuse Emotional
Abuse

5.Are you past or present a victim of gender-based violence?

Yes No

6.Do you noticed an increase of Domestic Violence in Freeport? Yes No

7.Which gender is most likely to be affected in Domestic Violence? Male Female

8.What you believe contribute to Domestic Violence? Uncontrollable behavior Trauma

 Financial Issues All of the above

9.Which gender do you believe experience the most Domestic abuse? Male Female

10.How can someone phyically abuse his/her partner?

Punching Kicking Strangle Slapping

11.How can someone abuses his/her partner emotionally?

Rape Cursing Insulting Humiliation

12.What are the effects of Domestic abuses?

Low self-worth Mental illness  Mood swings (Emotional Changes)
10
13.What are some long-term effects of Domestic Abuse?
 PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) Suicide Substance Abuse Living in constant
fear

14.How likely the abused victim will make a report or go to his/her family?
Extremely likely Somewhat likely Not likely

15.If you were abused domestically, what will be the solutions?

Family Police Department Friends  All of the above

PROCEDURE OF DATA COLLECTION:

11
Since the population of Freeport consists 500. It was calculated that a sample of 10% was

necessary to ensure accurate conclusion about Domestic Violence.

A pre-approved questionnaire was prepared and a total of 70 questionnaires were printed and

distributed to my sample population. A cover letter was attached to the questionnaire which

introduces me to the participants and informs them on my purpose.

The participants received only a day to finish the questionnaire at their own convenience. The

only concern I had was that some copies of the questionnaires would be lost or incomplete

but I accounted for this by distributing extra copies. The ideal sample is 60 for this study to

be accurate.

PRESENTATION AND EXPLANATION OF DATA:

12
A total number of 70 questionnaires were received to the responders of Freeport, 20 of the

questionnaires were returned. The questionnaires were answered by male responders are 60%

and 40% responders were female.

13
Presentation Of Data:

Years Of Residence

50%

30%

10% 10%

5-10 years 10-15 years 20-25 years 30+ years

Column1

Figure 1: Length of residence of responders

The first diagram, Figure 1, demonstrates how long the responders were living in Freeport. It

is shown that 10% of the villagers living in Freeport for 5 to 10 years, 30% living in the area

for 10-15 years, 50% living in the area for 20 to 25 years and 10% living in Freeport for over

30+ years.

14
 Percentage of residents who picked each
causes of Domestic Violence
45%

40%

35%

30%
Sales
25%

20% 40%
15% 30%
10% 20%
5% 10%
0%
Trauma Uncontrollable emotions Financial issues All of the above

Figure 2: Pie-chart showing each cause of Domestic Violence that was picked by the

villagers.

In this pie- chart, it indicates the causes of Domestic Violence. The residents who picked

Trauma were 20%, 10% of the residents picked all of the above, 30% of the residents chose

uncontrollable emotions and 40% of the residents picked financial issues.

15
 Percentage of responders who chose which
gender gets affected the most in Domestic
Violence

Male
Female
30%

70%

Figure 3: A pie chart represents which gender gets involved in Domestic Violence in
Freeport.

According to the pie chart, the 70% of the respondents picked female. While 30% of the
respondents picked male.

16
 Percentage of villagers who each solution for
Domestic Violence

19%
Family
Police department
Friends
36% All of the above

0.26

25%

Figure 4: Statistical data of responders who picked each solution for Domestic Violence

A numerical data of residents of Freeport picked family are 36%, 26% picked friends, 25%

picked police department and 19% chose all of the above.

17
ANALYSIS/ INTERPRETATION OF DATA:

According from bar graphs and charts, the statistics will be shown in a worded paragraph.

The first graph, it demonstrates how long the responders were living in Freeport. It is shown

that 10% of the villagers living in Freeport for 5 to 10 years, 30% living in the area for 10-15

years, 50% living in the area for 20 to 25 years and 10% living in Freeport for over 30+

years. Second, the pie chart indicates the causes of Domestic Violence. The residents who

picked Trauma were 20%, 10% of the residents picked all of the above, 30% of the residents

chose uncontrollable emotions and 40% of the residents picked financial issues. After that,

the third graph demonstrates who picked which gender gets involved the most in abuse, the

70% of the respondents picked female and 30% of the respondents picked male. F http://opm-

gca.gov.tt/Gender/GenderInitiatives/DomesticViolenceReport(s)or the last graph residents of

Freeport picked which solution works he best for the victims domestic violence, the residents

who chose family are 36%, 26% picked friends, 25% picked police department and 19%

chose all of the above.

18
FINDINGS:

Domestic Violence has occurred in every 3 days for the whole week. This information came

from 85% of the residents of Freeport.

Women who had been abused by their partner or spouses have been reported by 70% of the

villagers.

Men who had been abused by their partner or spouses have been reported by 30% of the

villagers.

19
RECOMMENDATIONS:

The most successful way to label domestic violence is through prevention and involvement.

Prevention starts with creating an environment in which all people are respected, accepted,

and celebrated for their differences. This can be accomplished through education about

healthy relationships, gender equality, consent, respect, and empathy.

Involvement strategies such as counseling and support services can also be helpful for

individuals who are experiencing or perpetrating domestic violence. Counseling can help

provide a safe and space to discuss on how to have a good relationship and learn how to

communicate more. It can also help to address childhood trauma or substance abuse issues

that may have contributed to the violence or being in that type of environment.

Support services similar as legal aid, housing assistance, and financial aid can also be

invaluable in providing the resources that survivors need to safely leave an abusive situation.

Many organizations provide legal advice for those who have been affected by domestic

violence. These organizations can give you support through safety plans, protective orders,

and other resources such as public housing or job training. A good place to start is the

Domestic Violence Hotline- 800-SAVE. They provide free and confidential assistance to

victims of domestic violence 24/7.

20
CONCLUSION:

It is my only hope that this study like many others bring awareness to this societal problem. I

have personally learned a lot from this research study. Violence leading to lost of limb or

lives especially in the home, have proven to have a great impact on family lives.

Living in constant fear of another person/ persons or being bullied or coerced is not an

acceptable way to live. Victims should become aware of the avenues available to them for

help. Social media platforms, various news rooms and advertising e.g. billboards etc. should

become more prevalent on the topic creating awareness. Schools should also highlight this

topic in the curriculum as bullying, harassment and domestic violence can all linked to one

suffering in silence.

I truly enjoyed this pertinent topic of research and I look forward to a drastic reduction as

well as change in this area, and that we as a society would come together to fight against it

and win.

21
BIBLIOGRAPHY:

https://www.hmlawfirmtx.com/understanding-domestic-violence-causes-and-solutions

https://www.womenagainstabuse.org/education-resources/learn-about-abuse/types-of-

domestic-violence

https://www.coe.int/en/web/gender-matters/types-of-gender-based-violencehttps://

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Couva%E2%80%93Tabaquite%E2%80%93Talparo

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freeport,_Trinidad_and_Tobago

http://opm-gca.gov.tt/Gender/GenderInitiatives/DomesticViolenceReport(s)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regions_and_municipalities_of_Trinidad_and_Tobago#/

media/File:Regional_corporations_and_municipalities_of_Trinidad_and_Tobago.svg

22
APPENDIX:

23