For a long time domestic violence has been a crime that has been hidden away, but are we determined to bring it out into the open and tackle its root causes?
Presently, tentacles of domestic violence could be seen penetrating the region of Ireland as well. On an average, after every 23 minutes, a distress call is made to the police for help in relation to violence in homes.
Facts & figures:
2. Domestic violence in Northern Ireland accounts for 20% of all crime.
3. 29% of murders in Northern Ireland involved domestic situations.
4. More than 50% of women surveyed know a woman whose partner used violence against her.
5. It is estimated that 1 in 4 women will experience domestic violence in their lifetime.
New documentary
A new documentary on BBC Radio Ulster, “To Have and to Hit”, explores the terrible truth behind some closed doors.
In the documentary, women tell their real life experiences of living with men who mentally and physically abused them.
BBC has postulated that government intends to introduce a law that would register for perpetrators of domestic violence. It would operate in the same way as a sex offender’s register, where names would be made public.
This idea however, has not been welcomed by all as some victims are of the view that they too would be included in the name and shame game.
There are instances where women have been battered by their partners or they themselves have left homes along with their children and have taken shelter in the Women’s Aid refuge.
The refuge would provide them with temporary accommodation until the Housing Executive re-houses them. That process could take months.
As a key preventive measure for the future, the government set out education as a tool to tackle the problem. The BBC has also learned that the government has yet to introduce domestic violence into the curriculum in Northern Ireland.
However, the Woman’s Aid group is of the view that education is an effective tool but boys must be targeted with it since they are the ones who must know to respect girls, only then the evil of domestic violence could be eradicated from the society.
