Dear Editor,
The prevalence of domestic violence in our country has long ago reached alarming proportions and it would appear that hands are tied or the know-how to deal with and eliminate this scourge is absent. Almost daily in our newspapers one can read that a woman has been murdered by her spouse, while crime increases unabated.
We must ask ourselves what can we do to stop this epidemic that seems to be spreading to every part of our country. Surely civil society and others as well can play a part to bring an end to this unsavoury and uncivilized pattern of behaviour. The media, churches, and social groups/organisations must now up the ante in relation to what now bugs our society.
I lift my voice against this insanity; there is no reason for any mode of violence to be meted out to our womenfolk. To me this is a grand display of cowardice and weakness on the part of our menfolk. Somehow they seem to lack the ability to harness their anger and they are not armed with the art of conflict resolution. Uncontrolled anger is a dangerous emotion for anyone to possess and can lead to action that becomes debilitating for everyone involved.
Our men need help. A special task force must be set up to deal with issues that affect men; confidential counselling sessions must be made available so that men who feel cheated and mistreated can find refuge and strength and will be dissuaded from violent conduct.
And our women need to run from any hint of abuse or threats to their well-being. It is not a dishonour to tell someone of your troubles, to confide in a friend or a religious leader, but do not remain in an abusive relationship. Save your life and preserve yourself for your children and be around people who love and care for you.
The worst thing about these violent activities is that the culprits often get away with the crime. If they are caught and brought to justice the case takes a long time to be heard and sometimes witnesses disappear and the assailant goes free.
We have had too much talk and little else while the incidence of domestic abuse keeps growing like a cancer. It would be nice to get the statistics on how many women were killed by their menfolk and how many of the latter were brought to justice and paid for their crime, etc.
This is a matter for all and sundry, for the Speaker of the National Assembly, the leaders of government, the main players in the opposition, our media, personally, etc. Please do something now.
Yours faithfully,
Bishop Ivan John
