Dear Editor,
More than one week ago the TV programme SPOTLIGHT aired a rather sobering discussion on domestic violence, including sexual abuse. It put in frightening perspective how prevalent was the incidence of such misbehaviour in our society. When seen alongside so many other daily criminal acts of violence, it forces one to wonder how and why the level of depravity is replicated through the various levels of society.
One reason must be that regardless of status too many citizens; including public figures, have succumbed to the increasing societal stressors, unconsciously and consciously. That is why some of us are prone to uncontrollable outbursts of anger resulting in abuse little of which is publicised. The victims of such aggression may not necessarily retaliate immediately, but instead seek to vent frustration elsewhere – usually on those closest to them. There is a chain reaction – which spreads contagiously. We are simply living in a very stressed out environment even though individuals, and moreso families, would refuse to admit it. They don’t have to.
However, just review the daily papers and note the stark evidence of continuing abrasiveness, even hostility, contained in letters to the press, and in other news items, for instance.
Right now politicians have resorted to abuse, confident that such behaviour will energise the audience, who in turn do not recognise how accustomed they have become to hearing and responding to similar tirades elsewhere.
The unfolding tragedy is that there is little or no redress or comfort to be sought, that would assuage the wounds inflicted. The relevant individual capability is minimal; and ineffectual institutions provide little or no help. There just is no system or process to which either the victim or the violator can turn for help. As a result each becomes increasingly enmeshed in a state of confusion and helplessness which can only be relieved by further negative action – full circle, for all of which no leader of any sort takes responsibility.
It is evidence of this deep psychological affliction which, according to SPOTLIGHT’s panel, gets first taken to the police – more often than not disinterested in the reporting victim, and insensitive to the depth of the trauma experienced. For one reason: the officer is not trained to deal with such situations; as well as lacks the competence to prepare a literate report. Consequently the critical but defective submission too often undermines the ensuing process of taking what effective punitive or compensatory action may be required.
While reference was made by the panel to related laws and regulatory practices, it seemed from the recital given that victims of various forms of domestic violence also become victims of official ineptitude; and at the same time interventions of concerned NGOs are subverted to a substantial degree.
It was not clear whether the process of rendering support for the abused person has instituted a formal relationship between the NGO and the police. If it does not then it seems logical that there should be such a linkage, albeit on a basis which treats each report as an emergency case.
This means that amongst the police force there should be established one or more units specially trained to respond adequately to reported situations. The response must include an emergency call to a concerned NGO who would be expected to have arrangements in place to provide immediate support particularly in terms of ensuring not only the preparation of a credible report from the abused; but also, where feasible, engage the identified perpetrator.
Such a process will require
- i) all parties to be properly trained
- ii) suitable accommodation to be provided at the respective police stations
iii) the institution and/or reinforcement of counselling capacity
- iv) if not already in place, the establishment of a special court to examine the faultlines in relationships which lead to the conflict, and determine appropriately possible solutions
- v) the adequate provision of counselling, including psychiatry. In this regard the Health Services should make an active contribution, as it would have already been involved in providing treatment to physical injuries.
- vi) appropriate budgetary provision for the above
While the above process may be applicable to visible evidence of conflict, it by no means inheres a system for ascertaining a type of abuse unrelated to physical violence, but rather includes forms of neglect, absenteeism, non-communication that often obtain even in apparently settled families who would be too embarrassed to complain. Once upon a time it was the priest who played this role. Perhaps there is still room for the latter to pursue this role.
The bottom-line is that all help is sorely needed in an increasingly dysfunctional society.
Yours faithfully,
E.B. John
