Updated: Society has to stand up to domestic abuse - Domestic Violence Commission

The spate of recent abuses on women have been noted by the Commission on Domestic Violence which said that although various services to combat this and help sufferers existed, the country had to do better.

"The different systems who come into contact with domestic violence, whether part of the welfare, health, police, courts etc. also need to be more skilled in working even closer together to find better ways forward and to better safeguard women who may be going through such difficult situations.

"Notwithstanding various attempts to raise awareness about domestic violence, to try to bring home the message that violence is never acceptable, that women should not have to put up with abusive behaviour and that help is available, we still appear not to have succeeded in reaching the women out there, in our society, neighbours, friends, family members, all those women (and their children) that live with abuse as an everyday reality... This is the fight that we all have to take up."

The commission promised to persevere in its work, but said that all society had to rise and say "NO! this is not acceptable".

Anyone experiencing abuse can call 179, a free and confidential telephone help-line. Reports can also be made to the police by the people involved or by third parties.

Women's Study Group reaction

In another statement, the Women's Study Group said the number of murders of women by ex-partners was cause of serious concern. They said the authorities needed to send a message that murder and battering would not be tolerated as solutions to domestic disputes.

"How many more women need to be deprived of their life because their ex-partners cannot accept the fact that the relationship is not working?"

"We recognise that domestic violence is caused by an imbalance of power between women and men in society, which is reflected in intimate relationships. It is not so much about love tiffs, or domestic disputes but about power and control on the part of the male partner, over the female partner. Although much has been done in relation to equality between women and men, every time we hear of a tragedy such as this we are reminded that there is still a lot more to be done," the group said.

The authorities need to hammer the message home that murder and violence are not acceptable in relationships. The legal authorities need to take action against violent perpetrators before the act happens, and not after.

"The media and other socializing agents such as schools and religious institutions alsoneed to that violence is never an acceptable solution when relationships are not working. And we need to expose our youth to anger management techniques and the concepts of gender equality at schools to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future."