Dear Editor,

Red Thread Domestic Violence Survivors Self Help Group and GWAR (Grassroots Women Across Race) have been campaigning for the past month against the upsurge in the brutal slaying and maiming of our women. However, we need the authorities to do something about this outrage – for example – to increase the penalty. One of our member’s husband beat her till he broke her  arm, received a sentence of eighteen months, came out and beat her a second time, using a cutlass to knock out the steel plate put in to set her hand, and received a sentence of one year. Maybe the third time he will get six months. And the fourth?

And why so much silence from others in the society? It is becoming a normal thing in our society to kill women brutally. Our women and children have borne the brunt of domestic violence, which eventually leads to brutal murders, for far too long. We need to break the silence.

We need all religious organizations to come forward and address the issue of domestic violence. Women comprise the majority of the congregation in all religious bodies and religious leaders should speak out now. We are also calling on the general public, neighbours and friends to take action when they are aware of women in abusive situations. Don’t wait until the victim is dead then speak out, act now.

We are asking everyone to take a stand with our women against domestic violence. Those of us who have also suffered domestic violence have a special responsibility to support and have compassion for women whose lives are on the line.

Domestic violence is everybody’s business.

Yours faithfully,
Shirley Shaffeek
Red Thread Network
Grass Roots Women Across Race
Natasha Downer
Red Thread Network Domestic
Violence Survivors Self Help Group