May is the month designated as domestic violence month. The tragedy of domestic violence is a blight on our so-called Christian society. It will be with us until the perpetrators change their attitudes. Domestic Violence Orders will not stop someone committing violent acts if they are intent on doing so.
There can be a nasty side to some DVOs. A DVO can be inflicted on a person for religious or other non-violent reasons. A parent or even grandparents can be separated from children they love because they have persisted in trying to see them. This persistence is often called harassment.
By using irrelevant material, innuendo and lies, the respondent can be made to feel like they are the victim. DVOs can be challenged, but often poor people can’t afford legal representation. In such cases children can suffer mental anguish.
It is easy to inflict someone with a DVO; a trip to the police station or court house for the form, and then write a story, without the necessity of having witnesses to authenticate the story. Any number of friends or acquaintances can be included on a DVO and a policeman will deliver it to the intended victim.
Where there is no accusation of real violence, there should be compulsory mediation to prevent a non-violent person being taken to court. In fact, the system of issuing DVOs should be the subject of Parliamentary review.
Jay Nauss
Glen Aplin
A quieter month enjoyed
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