THE partially decomposed body of 28-year-old Haffeza Rohoman, a mother of four, was yesterday fished out of a canal at Helena Number 1 Mahaica, East Coast Demerara, one mile from the Belmont, East Coast Demerara residence where she had lived with a new lover.The woman had reportedly walked out on her husband and children four months ago, and had gone to live with another man, who is now on the run.

Her children — aged five, eight, 10 and 14 — were being cared for by her sister and grandmother when she abandoned her previous place of abode at Tranquility Hall, Mahaica East Coast Demerara.

Mahaica police yesterday received information that a body was spotted in a canal, and their investigation confirmed the gruesome discovery. The body, clad in a black top and jeans, was taken to the Lyken Funeral Parlour in Georgetown, and a post-mortem will be done today.

The dead woman’s sister, Sheniza Rohoman, said Haffeza was supposed to return home to take care of two of her daughters since last Thursday, but never did. “She was getting problems returning home, because the man she was living with didn’t want her to return home…. When she moved out months ago, she always had problems in her new relationship.”

Sheniza said the family received a phone call from the police after her sister’s purse was found with her body. The police called various numbers stored in her phone.

The dead woman’s father described her death as untimely. “I don’t know anything much about what happened, but I am hoping police can figure it out,” he said.

Relatives of the dead woman suspect foul play, and are requesting that the police apprehend all suspects with the aim of solving the suspected murder.

Domestic violence is becoming more pervasive. Around the world, a woman is beaten every nine seconds, with one in four women experiencing severe physical abuse in her lifetime. Annually, 10 million children witness their mothers being beaten inside their own homes, while approximately three women are murdered every day by those who had promised to love them.

Local records indicate that 29 domestic violence-related murders occurred in 2013, with 21 of the victims being women and girls. Six of the victims were children, with the youngest being eight months old and the oldest 15. In addition, two 17-year-old girls were among the victims.

Domestic abuse that leads to violence and murder is seldom sudden or spontaneous. It is usually cold-blooded and calculated, and comes as the climax of a continuum of indicative incidents. Deaths at the hands of partners and spouses have increased, a fact that suggests that perpetrators still feel confident that they can escape punishment for their crimes. This means that there is a need for stronger enforcement of the legislation.

By Rabindra Rooplall