IT was most welcome to read President Donald Ramotar announcing that he will be taking a strong stance on domestic abuse – ‘a no nonsense’ approach . Mr. President, no nonsense must mean exactly what it says to stamp out one of the many plagues that have been recurring in Guyana for too long.
Domestic violence does not discriminate against young or old, rich or poor, religious or not, or black or brown. For too long cruel and inhuman men get away with murder because they know the laws are on their side.
When caught and are found guilty these men know exactly how to plea to the lesser count of manslaughter only to receive an eight-year jail sentence or less. What is eight years in jail really for taking someone’s life is the first thing that should come to the mind of law makers.
If this ‘nonsense law’ of pleading to the lesser count of manslaughter does not go away then most people know that killings will go on and on. Women and men both will continue to be killed while the killer/s will come to court if and when caught and will plead to the lesser count of manslaughter.
Killers are telling you, the law enforcers, that eight years in jail means absolutely nothing to them as long as they have done their job in wiping that victim/s out for good.
Mr. Editor, only a few weeks ago I had reason to call on you to report a domestic case of abuse and I must thank you for referring me to reporter, Ms. Michel Outridge.
Ms. Outridge did a great job in getting involved and thanks to her involvement all systems are going for the young woman who was beaten and held against her will.
I could say that the young woman is no longer in danger from the man she lives with.
Thank you once again for getting involved in saving a young woman from being beaten and possibly her life.
Police must be also trained to know when some women are making bogus claims about men violating them.
On the other hand, some of these women would go to court and throw themselves at the mercy of the judge when their abuser or abusers are charged. In order to send the true message of no nonsense, these women must be charged and fined heavily and/or possibly jailed.
Thank you Mr. President and please be true to your words always, on not only this issue but every issue as well.