1 Victims navigating justice in island communities: An exploration of victims’ experiences of the criminal justice system and quality of justice services provided in Trinidad and Tobago

Abstract

The criminal justice system in Trinidad and Tobago, like other Anglophone Caribbean islands, is a remnant of its colonial past. While there have been some reforms to improve the quality and type of police and justice services provided, the issues justice users encounter in their access and engagement remain underexplored. Using interview data from direct and indirect victims, this paper explores the complexities of victims’ experiences and their implications on the quality and type of police and justice services provided. Victims’ narratives expressed varied experiences in interpersonal treatment, information services, input and engagement, and effectiveness and efficiency of the process. Many were required to navigate interpersonal, structural, and systemic barriers which led to institutionalized secondary victimization, as well as feelings of silencing and inequality. The findings suggest that victims’ experiences were influenced by the legacies of colonialism which continue to persist in island communities. Such as, imbalances in power, behaviours within institutions that promote solidarity networks, negotiation, informal systems, and processes. The narratives of victims intimate that there is a need for change and the adoption of an approach that not only improves the quality of justice services provided but empowers victims through the process.