Conflict resolution skills could stave off crime of passion

May 27, 2012

The crime of passion is usually a murder or an assault that is precipitated by different types of passions such as jealousy, envy, unpremeditated acts that occur for no other reason than pure emotional violence.

By Maureen Atuhaire

Crimes of passion are increasingly becoming a daily thing. Passion is any powerful or compelling emotion or feeling. It could be to do with love or hate.

The crime of passion is usually a murder or an assault that is precipitated by different types of passions such as jealousy, envy, unpremeditated acts that occur for no other reason than pure emotional violence.

Other push factors include economic, power, greed and peer pressure. One believes that there is no other way to solve a situation than hurting the one that he/she loves and deeply regrets doing so afterwards.

Crimes of passion are often spontaneous and unpredictable. These killers are not predators hunting for prey, but human time bombs.

Most homicides are escalations of trivial squabbles arising among spouses. They evoke deep seated attitudes and behavioural responses in every one’s heart and are born in the emotional core of women and men who are pushed to do the unthinkable. Each crime can have a justification of a passion governing the act and they are direct responses to betrayal, to broken hearts and injured pride. Each of us is potentially a passionate murderer or a victim of one because even ordinary people with no history of violence commit crimes of passion.

Domestic violence has always been present but in many cases, the victim does not necessarily define it as violence or abuse. People will report abuse when it becomes easily detectable. However, many cases go unreported due to the societal cultural beliefs and practices that condone domestic violence.

Therefore, guidance and counselling is increasingly recommended to people suffering mental, physical or emotional distress. This is the case for the Police’s child and family protection department. It is also ensures effective enforcement of laws in relation to domestic violence, child protection and use of alternative family dispute resolution mechanisms.

There is never a good reason for murder. If you have problems in your relationship, please try to talk about it.

The writer is attached to the Uganda Police

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