A   FEATURE  of most domestic violence cases, especially at the point where

charges have been laid on the alleged perpetrator, and the latter brought before the courts, has been  for the victim to request leniency – which often means  that a warning must be given – and/ or that  no evidence would be offered    against the  accused. Hence, prosecution proceedings are discontinued.
This particular occurrence relates to both categories of  married and unmarried couples, and the reasons are always the same, ranging from the attacker being the only breadwinner; that  he had never committed the act prior; or  that he  gets violent only when he drinks. One stands to be corrected, in saying that in the local context, it is not known that in  the  very  few cases of females arraigned before the courts for such an offence, that there has ever been such pleas on their behalf by the male victims.
However, there have been some instances where the perpetrators have  had custodial sentences, though  not exemplary enough. The point that is  to be  emphasised is that in those few cases, the women had the courage to see their male partners jailed, despite whatever challenging social circumstances they foresaw.
But it is the  recent case of the battered wife, who pleaded with the magistrate to jail her common – law husband that stands out. Here is the classic case of the woman definitely suffering years of physical abuse by her partner, who  is  also an apparent habitual abuser of alcohol.  Allegedly provoked by some children in his neighbourhood, and reprimanded by his  lady, he is said to have attacked  her most viciously, inflicting serious injuries to her head.
The fact that even his attorney has had to reprimand him for his undoubted aggressive behaviour while in court, speaks volumes about his persona, and helps us to understand the living hell that she has been experiencing, similar to numerous numbers of her female sisters.
But she must be congratulated for the resolute and definite stand in demanding that he be made to suffer loss of liberty for his cruelty.
It is an example, of which, other women in similar circumstances ought to take note and be encouraged.  Documented cases of domestic violence have shown that, in most instances where the victims would have suffered  years of being battered, they are eventually murdered.
No amount of pleadings on the  part of  the females for leniency for these human  brutes are ever going to suffice in making the latter understand the  serious realities of their batterings  of their female companions, and  short, medium, but especially the long-term,  physical and psychological harm that such entails.
The time is long past for any woman to continue to feel sorry for a male companion, whether husband or otherwise, who abuses her in every possible manner, particularly in the presence of children, and even family and friends. The cost for allowing such disrespectful behaviour and atrocity to continue and  to go unpunished is to court further physical and mental torment, and of course, horrible death.
Be forthright. Be brave. Once charges are laid, ensure that it is taken to its logical conclusion once determined by the court.  Always, a plea for leniency, or  deciding to have charges withdrawn means further hell and, in the process, death.
Let brutal men suffer the consequences of their cruelty to women.