Yugge Farrell Empowerment Fund

Leave Out Violence in SVG - LOVNSVG is organizing this fundraiser.

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Justice for Yugge!

Leave out Violence in SVG (LOVNSVG), a group which focuses on gender-based violence and violence against women, has collaborated with a diverse group of concerned individuals who are appealing for your support.

Ms. Yugge Farrell, 23, who was in the custody of a psychiatric hospital facility that is not served by a psychiatrist, is now out on EC $1000.00 bail and is due back in court December 17th 2018, for allegedly having uttered the words “dirty bitch” to Karen Duncan-Gonsalves, a senior crown counsel in the Attorney General’s office.

Yugge has revealed in a series of videos that she had a known relationship through 2016 with Camillo Gonsalves, the Minister of Finance, son of Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, and husband of Duncan-Gonsalves. She was court-ordered to the nation’s ill-equipped psychiatric hospital for a two-week inpatient confinement for mental health evaluation, ostensibly to determine whether or not she is fit to stand trial.

This decision was carried out despite protests from her pro-bono lawyer who noted that no information was given to the court in support of the application to justify such an unusual and absurd ruling. In the face of contrary opinions from local and extra-regional jurists, the country’s Prime Minister, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, has publicly declared that the process is entirely legal. This not only shows that the judiciary system is biased, and shows favour to those in power; it also points to collusion and contamination of the case itself. It puts the administration of justice in St. Vincent and the Grenadines in a precarious position — a position that we as a country cannot afford to be in.

It has been verified that whilst in custody for evaluation, Yugge was administered psychotropic medication outside of the court order and against her will. It was evident from her presentation and state of cognition during a second court appearance on Monday, January 22nd 2018 that she had been harmed by the effects of the illegal and unethical treatment to which she had been subjected while at the psychiatric facility. During that hearing, she was again court-ordered to return to the facility for an additional week of “evaluation,” said to be for the purpose of allowing a new magistrate to familiarize himself with the case and to consider arguments. Visiting access to Yugge while at the psychiatric hospital were restricted.

The stunningly beautiful Caribbean island chain of St. Vincent and the Grenadines has been rocked by widespread shock, worry and public anxiety over this disturbing, developing case of 22-year old fashion model Yugge Farrell. The overreach and unusual emphasis of the government’s intervention and prime ministerial interference in the management of what ought to be a trivial matter has called us to action. This is also a call to arms for other women like her who are bound by their circumstances and poverty, and who dare not step out of the shadows due to fear of personal attack and backlash, and the threat to one’s life and wellbeing. Yugge's story highlights the subjection of the poor and those on the margins to the whims and fancies of the political elite and ruling class.

This fund is ultimately intended to provide legal and psychosocial support for Yugge who continues to suffer from systemic abuse and discrimination with little or no recourse at multiple levels of society in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

https://www.thestar.com/news/world/2014/11/24/the_dark_side_of_the_sunny_caribbean.html

In this regard, SVG has come to international attention on more than one occasion. The Yugge Farrell case is being followed and covered extensively by local media as you will see from the links provided. There has been news media and social media coverage from other Caribbean islands and beyond.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/opinion/st-vincent-jamaica-and-a-tale-of-two-entitled-families-in-politics

With this fund we are calling you to action!

Please give generously to help us to afford an independent evaluation for Yugge and neutral legal council. Help us to assist her so that she does not become a precedent-setting and intimidating example to other women like her, or to men, who might otherwise exercise their right to speak freely of their personal experiences and injustice. Help us challenge the system that guarantees the vengeful displeasure of a powerful, ruling family to any who dare speak out.

This is a call for our ALLIES to stand with us.

This is a call to those in the diaspora to aid in sharing the word and bringing light to the corrupt justice system and the remediation needed.

Share this campaign widely with journalists, activists and litigation groups and anyone who you think will bring light to this grave injustice. Give generously to afford Yugge and others like her a chance to fight this system of oppression.

Leave out Violence in SVG (LOVNSVG) is a nonprofit organization established 7 years ago which focuses on eradicating violence against women and children across St. Vincent and the Grenadines.