(Trinidad Guardian) Chief Magistrate Marcia Ayres-Caesar says judicial officers should take domestic-violence cases seriously, because if they don’t the crime will be trivialised and victims will get no real protection or justice.
Ayres-Caesar was speaking at yesterday’s media launch of 16 days of activism held by the Coalition for Domestic Violence and the Rape Crisis Society for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, which is observed annually on November 25.The launch took place at the coalition’s office at Robinson Ville, Belmont.
Saying early intervention by the judicial system could save lives, Ayres-Caesar explained, “Using the yardstick of the court to measure conduct, the attacker would perceive the crime to be an insignificant one. Consequently he has no incentive to modify or change his behaviour and continues to abuse.
“If, as judicial officers, we treat domestic violence seriously, so too would the parties and the rest of the criminal justice system. Many abusers are authoritarians in their homes and can be motivated by authorities who are perceived to have greater authority and power than they do.”
Saying judicial officers had a key role in ending the scourge of domestic violence, the chief magistrate added that many victims who come to the courts seeking help did not have sufficient resources, including attorneys, an adequate source of income, access to counselling, functional extended families and a safe place to live.
“This can be a source of frustration for the judicial officer who may feel that he or she is being asked to solve problems beyond the court’s ability to act.” The chief magistrate said while counsellors could only advise the abuser to stop his behaviour, it was only the court that would order him to attend counselling, prohibit his contact with the victim and order incarceration when necessary.
“As judicial officers we have a responsibility to ensure that the intervention that we provide is meaningful. Courts are only one institution among many in society that have an obligation to respond to cases of domestic violence. “To do our job well, we have to be aware of and work closely with these institutions. But we must do so in a way that does not affect our independence and neutrality,” Ayres-Caesar said.
There are expected to be discussions in various communities throughout the country on domestic violence. The activities are aimed at educating the public and include a candlelight vigil to be held tomorrow in Port-of-Spain titled, “The call to action.” The vigil is expected to begin at 5 pm at Bishop Anstey High School.
