Eradicating domestic violence

Saturday, 9 November 2013 07:28 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Fathima Riznaz Hafi Domestic violence is abusive behaviour directed against another family member and normally refers to partners who are married or co-habiting and often also refers to parent and child. Domestic violence includes physical, verbal, sexual, emotional, psychological, social and economic abuse by one partner to dominate

the other partner, within the domestic sphere. It occurs in families regardless of nationality, race or employment. The incidence of domestic violence is still high in some areas of Sri Lanka but many of these cases go unreported because the abused don’t come forward either out of fear or due to social and cultural reasons. Most victims are helpless and people who are aware of the abuse choose to ignore it as they consider it as a private family issue. The impact of domestic violence is greater than what some may perceive as it doesn’t just affect the person who is directly abused but also those who witness this and that would normally be the children. For example, children who witness their fathers hitting and hurting their mothers could end up either psychologically disturbed or cloning their father’s violent acts. Children from abusive homes often perform very poorly in their studies and behave violently. Taking action Various parties have come forward to eradicate the problem by raising awareness, taking action against the abusers and providing assistance to the abused in the form of guidance, counselling as well as protection. Sri Lanka has taken various legal steps in its attempt to end violence against women such as by way of amendments to the Penal Code in 1995, the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act No.34 in 2005 and the adaption of the Women’s Charter. Deputy Minister of Investment Promotion Faiszer Mustapha has now come forward to play his role in eradicating domestic violence. The Faiszer Mustapha Foundation, in collaboration with Women In Need (WIN) announced the launch of their campaign ‘Domestic Violence Against Women and Children’ in Grandpass on Wednesday. In a hall packed with women from all communities, the Deputy Minister expressed his views on domestic violence in Sri Lanka, highlighting the appalling situation where women are still being beaten and abused by their husbands and noted that many women don’t protect their rights. He stressed the importance of increasing awareness on this issue. Stand up for their rights He explained that some husbands come home drunk and abuse their wives and some come home angry over events that occur outside and take out their anger on their wives. Women are often badly injured but won’t go to the police. He pointed out that women have to

stand up for their rights and gave assurance that help was available. There is an act on domestic violence under Sri Lankan law and there are legal procedures to protect women’s rights but many women don’t make use of this, often out of fear of losing their husbands and ending up alone with their children. He said the Faiszer Mustapha Foundation and WIN would give them the power to overcome their problem and if they want to go to the police or courts, both these organisations have now come together, ready to support them with all the legal proceedings and guidance, free of charge. He added that when they are faced with such problems, “Faiszer Mustapha will be there” for them. This assurance immediately brought on applause from the audience. Mustapha noted that most women who bear with the abuse are financially dependent on their husbands. He therefore encouraged them to start up their own businesses to become independent and self-sufficient. They would then be able to fend for themselves and their children without the abusive husband. He also brought up the situation where a couple gets married, and a year later there is a child, but the man abandons them without any financial support. Again, the organisation will intervene and take legal action to ensure that he provides that support. He then voiced out his concern on children from broken homes. As a result of the instability in their homes and the lack of guidance and affection from their parents, these children often go astray; they are poorly educated and end up with very low-paying jobs and unfulfilled lives. He advised them to raise their children the right way, to educate them and guide them very carefully to secure a good place in society. WIN Working alongside the Deputy Minister and the Faiszer Mustapha Foundation, is WIN – a pioneer centre in Sri Lanka committed to the elimination of domestic and other forms of violence against women. This centre with its vision to promote a violence free society that values and respects the rights of women and children has been in operation since May 1988. WIN has been working with women and children who have fallen victims to violence for the past 23 years and has initiated many activities and programs for the first time in Sri Lanka. It now has 30 centres island wide that offer free legal and counselling services to women and children subject to violence. Its 30 centres comprise of crisis centres, one stop crisis centres in hospitals, counselling centres at police stations and Women’s Resource Centres. WIN has also been operating a safe house for the past 15 years, as a shelter for women and children subject to violence. A similar shelter was opened in the Southern Province in August 2010. It actively conducts awareness and outreach programs for various stakeholders such as the health sector, law enforcement officers and NGOs. Recognised as the primary National Organisation working on the issues of Gender Based Violence and the primary service provider to the nation, WIN has been invited to many National and International Conferences and meetings to provide its expertise on this matter. With a mission to promote women to break the silence and win against violence, WIN is the perfect partner to carry out a campaign of this nature with the Faiszer Mustapha Foundation. Pix by Lasantha Kumara