By Vanessa Cort

IT is a subject that I have been forced to return to from time to time because domestic and gender-based violence continue to plague our society.
What is more alarming is that even when women opt to leave abusive relationships they are still being stalked and attacked by their former partners.

The year has just begun and yet reports of abduction, harassment and injury are already in the news. Some men are refusing to accept that relationships are over and their partners are moving on.

Of concern too are complaints about the casual and unconcerned way in which some police officers treat women who have been attacked. They are also seen as ‘dragging their feet’ when it comes to pursuing and apprehending offenders who are on the loose after committing their acts of violence.

If we as a nation are to properly address the whole issue of gender-based violence, then our law officers must treat it with the gravity it deserves. They must offer victims all the help and informed advice at their disposal.

Unfortunately, we are steeped in a culture which has for years either turned a ‘blind eye’ to domestic abuse or excused abusers. Women have been cajoled and persuaded to return to violent relationships and the police have often adopted the stance of ‘we ain gettin in man an woman story’.

The nation’s police officers have, in recent years, been exposed to education on gender-based violence by way of extensive courses on the subject. Individual officers have even been earmarked to deal with such complaints at various police stations throughout the country. And all have been urged to familiarise themselves with the country’s Domestic Violence Act, which is supposed to be available at police stations.

Despite all of this, many male policemen, some of whom are themselves abusers, remain reluctant to actively pursue and charge abusive men. In fact, some are openly flippant when reports are made by victims.

In a recent incident, the new partner of the victim, who was viciously stabbed by her former partner, alleged a policeman facetiously asked the victim which one of the men she wanted.
This is atrocious behaviour on the part of the police, who have a sworn duty to protect each and every member of our society. It also displays a total lack of empathy for women who suffer at the hands of violent men. But more than this, it points to domestic violence inside the force, which may spawn this attitude.

A few studies on this topic have been done worldwide. A US report states that 40 per cent of officers surveyed had assaulted family members in the previous six months. And this is from a study back in the 1990s.

In an article on the subject, writer, Brian Stanley, says that, “The research since then has been sparse and highly variable”.

The author also points that, “distinct factors of police culture may also create an environment in which domestic violence can thrive among officers”. He refers to the “blue wall of silence”, which promotes secrecy rather than encouraging intervention.

It is clear, therefore, that the police have to ‘police’ themselves and look at domestic/gender-based violence within their own ranks, so that they can better deal with complaints from members of the public.

DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited.