WITH an alarming upsurge in domestic violence in our society, discussions and debates on the problem are gaining momentum and views from many sections of society are being put forward.

However, the solution to this problem is not an easy one because it is one of the most complex human phenomena which has been around with us since the modern era began. Therefore, there cannot be any quick fixes or simplistic solution. It is a matter that has to be deeply studied to unearth its underlying causes before plausible and adequate solutions could be found.

According to Roxanne Dryden-Edwards MD and Melissa Conrad Stoppler MD domestic violence — also called intimate partner abuse, intimate partner violence, and domestic abuse —takes many forms. Maltreatment that takes place in the context of any romantic relationship is abuse as described by the above specific terms. It therefore involves men, women, or teen girls and boys, whether in a heterosexual or homosexual relationship. Intimate partner violence may take the form of emotional, psychological, physical, sexual, or economic abuse and is defined as one person in an intimate relationship using any means to control the other. Types of domestic abuse include physical, verbal (also called emotional, mental, or psychological abuse), sexual, economic/financial, and spiritual abuse. Stalking and cyber-stalking are also forms of intimate partner abuse.

They also point out that domestic violence creates a serious public health problem.

“Domestic violence is a major public-health problem in that it affects millions of people and often results in physical and emotional injuries and even deaths. The statistics about those who are affected by intimate partner violence are staggering: domestic abuse affects 3% to 5% of current adult relationships in the United States, including more than 2 million women. Despite the myth that violence against men does not occur, 800,000 men are victims of intimate partner abuse. Nearly one-third of women can expect to be the victim of intimate partner violence sometime in their lifetime. About 25% of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) individuals are victims of intimate partner abuse, just as often as are heterosexual women. As of 2000, about 8 million incidents of domestic violence occurred in one year in the United States, and 20.2% of women visiting family practice clinics have been found to be experiencing intimate partner violence. About 1,300 deaths were attributed to domestic abuse as of 2003.”

They add: “Teen intimate partner abuse takes place at an alarming rate. As many as 12% of youth in grades 7 through 12 have been victims of physical dating violence, and 20% of youth have suffered from psychological dating violence. This abuse puts victims in danger of practicing risky sexual behaviour, unhealthy eating, drug use, suicidal behaviours, as well as physical injury and death. These victims are also more likely to become sufferers of intimate partner violence as adults.”

So the extent of the problem is well documented and well known and it is clear from the above that it is not limited to any particular society but is widespread across the globe.

But what are the reasons for couples turning violent? The experts offer some interesting explanations, and one which questions the perception that men are solely responsible for domestic violence.

“But findings about women’s use of violence need to be discussed in context, psychologists say. True, a variety of studies dating to the late 1970s have shown that females are slightly more likely than males to acknowledge resorting to slapping, kicking or shoving romantic partners. Yet many researchers say romantic conflict is too complex and variable to say conclusively that one gender initiates it more often than the other.

And many psychologists say that a close examination of studies on dating and marital conflict indicates that women, not men, still are the major victims of relational violence: Men still inflict the most physical harm on their mates than vice versa.

Women who report using violence in their relationships say they do so in self-defense, in retaliation for abuse from their partners or as a way to ward of unwanted sexual advances.” (Source: SORTING OUT THE REASONS COUPLES TURN VIOLENT By Scott Sleek, Monitor staff. The Monitor is the journal of the American Psychological Association).

The article adds: “Yet some clinicians and researchers believe women aren’t being held accountable for their physical aggression against their husbands and boyfriends. They suggest that studies may under-report women’s aggression because men may be too embarrassed to admit being hit or injured by a woman. Younger males may be an exception. Studies have shown that they are more likely to report being victims of moderate physical abuse than are their female peers. But the girls don’t seem to be disagreeing with them. They acknowledge being the aggressors more often than the boys, studies show.”

The debates on the causes of this social scourge can and will go on but in the meantime the problem is on the upsurge and in many instances have reached frightening proportions. And therefore in the meantime the best bet maybe is to work towards developing tolerance and an attitudinal change aimed at veering society away from violence.

“Effective solutions for preventing intimate partner abuse include providing economic opportunity, mentors, role models, organized community programs for youth and families, a school environment that promotes prevention of abusiveness in any relationship, and adult family members who are nurturing and who provide consistent, structured supervision.”

“According to the House of Ruth, a domestic violence centre, everyone can help find ways to stop domestic violence, either by donating money or time to a domestic-violence organization, learning more about the problem, teaching children about healthy versus abusive relationships, listening in a nonjudgmental way to a domestic violence victim when he or she shares what they are going through, and giving victims information about where to get help.” (Source: SORTING OUT THE REASONS COUPLES TURN VIOLENT By Scott Sleek, Monitor staff. The Monitor is the journal of the American Psychological Association).

Here in Guyana some naïve persons are attempting to blame the government for the upsurge in domestic violence to further their political agenda. It boggles the mind that some people would try to use a social problem which everyone should put heads and shoulders together, and rise above narrow partisan politics, to find a solution.

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Ms. Priya Manickchand has conceded that while some success has been scored in dealing with the problem but more work needs to be done so Guyana can move forward.

She said some areas in which progress was made include education; the effective outreach of legal aid; financial and material assistance given women and children who have fled abusive relationships and the current facility for abused victims being manned by Help and Shelter (H&S).

It would be hoped that all sections of society would put their full weight behind the fight against the problem because the damage and agony it is causing to society is immeasurable and this could have far reaching consequences on our nation’s future