Dear Editor,
On the news recently, I heard that another man was sent to prison for hitting his wife. This is a situation which is developing in Guyana and which needs to be addressed. As we know, there is no handbook which is given to people in relationships in general, whether it is a new mother and her child or a couple in a relationship, to name a few. As such, we go with what we know.
Let us look at ‘couples.’ As we say ‘teeth and tongue must meet.’ When a matter reaches the court, more often than not, the male is dealt with and the female goes free. As we also know, one hand does not clap. There is no way that a man will walk up to his woman and hit her for no reason.
We are left with the following scenarios: (1) the man goes to prison and becomes bitter, the woman goes every day to take self-support since she feels that it is her fault that he is in prison – and behaviour change does not take place. (2) The woman refuses to give evidence and the case is dropped – and behaviour change does not take place.
Couples need help. In my experience, counselling works. When the magistrate orders six months or one year counselling for a couple, they are obligated to attend the sessions set out by the counsellor who has to document and prepare a progress report for the court. There are organizations that are in place to reach out to offer assistance free of charge. There is the Probation and Social Services Department, the Women Affairs Bureau and the Men Affairs Bureau all found in the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security. There is also Help and Shelter and numerous organizations that are willing to come on board. In addition, probation officers are in attendance at court.
It is one thing to say ‘Stop domestic violence’ and another to put a system in place to actually stop it. Stop sending the men to prison; they need help too.
Yours faithfully,
Grace Roberts
