Chaguanas West MP Dinesh Rambally says measures must be put in place to address the unseen wounds of crime.

His call comes after an elderly woman in his constituency suffered a heart attack in the days following a home invasion.

The woman and her son were tied up, with the suspects hitting her son and threatening to kill him in front her.

Mr Rambally says while the elderly victim was not seriously physically hurt during the ordeal, the incident left her with deep psychological scars.

103.1FM understands that since the issuing of the MP’s statement yesterday, the woman has unfortunately passed away.

Mr Rambally says the incident is not an isolated case, with many persons now in a constant state of fear and trauma.

He believes the trauma experienced by victims of crime is often untreated and overlooked, and lingers in the form of anxiety, stress, and sometimes debilitating fear.

MP Rambally is calling on the Ministry of National Security to develop a comprehensive plan to assist the victims of crime and help them on their path to recovery.

He says the plan should include:

• Mental Health Services: Allocate resources to provide immediately accessible and affordable mental health services for those who have experienced trauma due to crime. Counselling and therapy services should be readily available for those in need.
• Community Support: Initiatives to strengthen community resilience and support systems are crucial. Neighbourhood watch programs, support groups, and community gatherings can help citizens come together to heal and protect one another.
• Public Awareness and Education: Work on creating public awareness campaigns about the psychological impact of crime and encourage community members to seek help when needed.
• Police and Law Enforcement: Work in close collaboration with law enforcement agencies to ensure that victims are treated with sensitivity and respect throughout the legal process.

Mr Rambally is also urging Prime Minister Rowley to expedite his proposed crime talks.