Domestic abuse is everybody’s business

Apr 05, 2009 Letters

Dear Editor,
We are very disturbed after reading the articles in the Kaieteur and SN, dated Thursday, April 2, 2009, about the 38-year-old Vreed-en-Hoop mother of four who was killed by her lover.
It is very disgusting to hear neighbours/relatives saying after the incident occurred that they would usually hear the couple quarrelling or fighting or “he does always beat she up”. What is the point of saying that? What good will that do after the woman is dead?

Relatives, neighbours and friends should be more on the alert and supportive. The excuse shouldn’t be that “I didn’t try to help because I was afraid that he would turn on me instead.” What happened to calling the police? Many deaths as a result of domestic violence could be avoided if relatives, whether in-laws or blood-related, and the community members acknowledge domestic violence as totally unacceptable and see it as their business to assist the victim in whatever way possible.

The Police on the other hand have to act promptly when alerted either by the victim or anyone else and should proceed with the matter; charge the abuser and put him before the courts even when the victims say that they don’t want to proceed.
Some of our police officers need to take the issue of domestic violence more seriously.
They should not be telling women who make reports to “go home and make it up with your husband”. Sending these women back home could be detrimental, and it often is.

In the 33 days from March 1 – April 2, 2009 we found out from the newspapers that the number of abused women/girls was 14 as follows: 2 murders, 12 physical assaults. Two out of 14 women faced death. This is becoming an overbearing nightmare. Almost five months ago Ms. Patricia Rose was brutally stabbed by her ex-boyfriend and is at present still fighting for her life at the GPHC.
We call on all citizens to be more vigilant on the issue of domestic violence and not see it as “their business” but as “Everybody’s Business”
Ramratie Budhan
For Red Thread Drop in Centre