PREVENTING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Jan 05, 2017 Editorial, Features / Columnists

In this New Year, all in society must put an end to domestic violence. This has been on the rise recently. As the number of women being killed in domestic disputes continues to rise, society is entering panic mode. Some people are calling on the government to enact legislation with harsher provisions for punishment; others are demanding that the police somehow find a way to prevent these homicides arising from domestic dispute. Society can no longer turn a blind eye to this tragic and sad issue.
The reality is, it is almost impossible for the police to prevent acts of domestic violence against women. In many instances the police are not aware of the problems between spouses and they are not mind readers. But when they do receive information on spousal abuse, they have experienced much difficulty in dealing with it because in most cases, the parties tend to resume their relationship. Only close family members, relatives and friends are aware of ongoing spousal abuse, but do not intervene or encourage the victims to seek assistance from the police for fear that the male will retaliate.
It is only after a tragic event that families and friends will confess that they were aware of the abuse. This is exactly the case of 22-year-old Lonnette Nicholson-Prince, a Cosmetologist at the New Amsterdam Psychiatric Hospital and mother of one, who was stabbed to death at her work place by her jealous husband.
Ms. Prince’s father claimed that he was aware of the threats from his daughter’s reputed husband but did not report them to the police.
It is unfortunate that some men believe that they their female partners must stay in the relationship with them irrespective of the problems or mistreatment of the women. Some men are so depraved that if they cannot have their spouse/lover, then no one else will. They preferred to murder their spouses/lovers rather than allow them to have a relationship with another male.
It is tragic that we have men in this country who are immature and insecure that they would attack and kill their spouses who seek to exercise their right to be in a union of their choice.
It should be understood that there is no basis in our legal system or in our culture for compulsory union between couples, and even when the parties are married they can go their separate way on their own initiative or by a court order. They can also separate permanently by obtaining a decree or a divorce in the Court.
The best approach that the government can take to deal with spousal abuse is not necessarily more laws and more drastic punishment because those who are prepared to kill their spouses will not be deterred by any level of punishment prescribed by law. Such a person has already committed to taking a life and is prepared to die or be incarcerated for life.
The best approach is for the government to develop a well-structured and well-organized public education programme aimed at educating the public of the rights about relationships and how to resolve their differences through peaceful means.
Emphasis should be placed on teaching men to respect women and to accept that women have a right to terminate a relationship they are in with anyone.
However, this is not likely to happen anytime soon because changes do not take place overnight. In the meantime, those in relationships ought to know that all relationships will come to an end one day,even by death.
Society must appeal to all to accept and acknowledge that everyone has a right to get out of a relationship without fear of being armed or murdered by their spouses. Domestic violence must be prevented.

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