Spousal violence must be curbed
No single day passes by in this country without a media outlet reporting something related to spousal abuse, often physical in nature.
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The incidents, some of which resulted in death or deformation, have become so frequent that some people may now assume that violence in relationships is nothing to worry about because they cannot be stopped.
Worldwide, it is known that victims of domestic violence are mostly women, but there are also numerous scenarios of women being the aggressors or perpetrators.
Societies, obviously, vary across the world and so in some cases victims even believe that by their social dictates getting abused is ‘normal’ and they only have to learn to bear their crosses.
In some places, religious tenets make it possible for sections of the society to be abused at will. Such an attitude definitely leads to under-reporting of cases and many people get away with serious instances of violence.
In this country, some cases still go unreported, but one can say that a reasonable number get to the attention of the relevant authorities for appropriate action to be taken.
The frequency of mention in the media alone is an indication of cases being reported.
If our legal system was at a certain time inimical to the interests of a section of the populace, we do not think that is still the situation and we must keep reforming laws to deal appropriately with offenders.
It may be hard to say which kind of women, for instance, suffer more from spousal abuse. We can, however, assume that poor folks are often at the receiving end of abuse due to their dependence on ‘benefactors’.
In forced marriages, for instance, the economically weak spouse is virtually forced to contend with abuse. Chances of leaving the relationship seem almost always bleak due to fear of inadequacy away from the relationship.
Whichever way the abuse tends to swing, there are terrible effects on children, mainly in terms of their education and health. They are sometimes deprived of a key parent, with the resultant psychological impairment.
It should be the responsibility of all to help prevent spousal violence. The information wing of government almost always has its hands full to explain policies and directions, but an appropriate campaign against spousal violence must be taken on board.
Religious institutions could also be effective channels of attitudinal change. Most religions regard humans of both sexes as God’s creation and that should encourage them to preach tolerance and safety in relationships. Such institutions can seriously look at their tenets on divorce and allow believers who want to opt out of abusive relationships to do so.
Family members are sometimes too full of asking abused partners to return and try to patch up differences with their spouses. In many situations, women who return face even worse wrath from their husbands.
No one has a right to maltreat or harm another simply because the person is wife, husband, girlfriend or boyfriend.
Everyone has the right to life.