Dear Editor,
Within a three-day period, two women from East Coast Demerara were killed at the hands of the father of their children. Both women – Shamaine Frank and Vinetta Headley-James – had suffered years of domestic violence as they battled through their relationship for the sake of their children.
In the case of Frank, her six-year-old daughter witnessed her being stabbed to death. The child, according to news reports, has confided in relatives that she was awakened by her father during the ordeal and threatened not to utter a word. If she did, he would also kill her, she told relatives. Incidents such as these cause trauma for those who witnessed them and serve as a microcosm of such scenarios in society. More specifically, over time, numerous cases of domestic violence have been reported in the Guyanese media. Many were brutally killed in some instances.
Unfortunately, this continues despite awareness efforts. There is also the much-touted training of law enforcements officers who are expected to be the first step of recourse with regard to the lodging of complaints.
There is more than a subtle irony in the continuance of this societal scourge in spite of the relentless efforts and the plethora of available mechanisms to inform and educate. The problem appears much larger as reflected in the news as many cases go unreported. This speaks to the reality being underestimated.
Many reasons have been made known for what can deter an abused victim to not seek the intervention of the law. Among them are aspects of culture, shame, dependency and its redounding lack of empowerment for some, and the absence of confidence in law enforcement precipitated from the reported trivialising of the issue in some instances.
One may posit that education is a primary concern. On the other hand, one can argue that education has been more profound in recent times. Pertinent would be to ask if the other factors subvert the heeding of educational messaging. While the answer may be assumed, it would make for interesting and informative research.
That said, the magnitude of the impact on children cannot be underestimated. Many have cruelly been made witnesses to the horrific assaults. Those ghastly images, especially when life was snuffed out, are not only lasting, but profoundly traumatising.
When young minds are so broadsided, the impact, if not managed, lingers for life. Not that they are erasable, but with meaningful and sustained interventions, the trauma can potentially be mitigated thereby aiding to better shape lives. The entire spectrum of what therefore constitutes counselling then becomes vital. This naturally raises the question of the availability of adequate intervening mechanisms, not just for case of domestic violence but other scenarios including accidents.
While it is always heartening to hear that surviving victims and witnesses to such horrific incidents would be counselled, it would be very informative for all to know the extent of what is available and offered. While expectations would be for what obtains in the developed nations, realistically, there must be something tangible in keeping with available resources with upgrades foremost in planning.
This is not any way suggesting that there isn’t an effective mechanism. However, counselling can be an extensive process for some depending upon the circumstances. Given the plethora of incidents that unfortunately continue and which would make added demands on the system, the question of adequacy of trained staff, needed facilities and support systems, becomes more pertinent.
While there is a disadvantage in accurately quoting figures, based on extensive research, if available, on the amount of people lost, injured and disfigured and those scarred for life as a result of domestic violence, they must be extremely high in proportion to our population. Clearly the highest number would be those who are left traumatized.
This therefore must be seen as a serious cause for concern and a compelling reason for consideration for declaring domestic violence a national priority. This is an apolitical issue and is not confined to any one group thereby making it less difficult to garner national support. In such small societies, the impact permeates throughout.
As this newspaper has previously said, children reading and learning about incidents through television and social media are in many ways impacted too, especially if one of their own is affected. In the context herein, the pervasiveness and impact of trauma cannot and must not be underestimated. Its mitigation has to uncompromisingly be immediate, holistic, effective and sustained.
Yours truly,
Concerned citizen