Police out to stem domestic violence

By Titus Kakembo

YOUR dearest one, who sleeps on a pillow next to yours and shares a bank account with you, can be more lethal than an iron bar hitman lurking in the shadows. Even if he sits across the breakfast table at meal time and sends compliments on SMS, he can be dangerous.

“Men often hound, torment, terrorise and stalk their spouses. Armed with rifles, machetes or acid, they pursue parties they once promised to love and protect,” writes American author Vice, Edna Buchanan. “They cannot bear to see their ex happy with someone else. Others would rather fight and quarrel for weeks, perhaps longer instead of divorcing,” Buchanan writes.

THE STATISTICS

True to Buchanan’s word, data at the Uganda Women’s Network (UWONET) secretariat has it that, six out of every ten women have experienced physical violence since the age of 15.

“In 2011, 520 women were raped, but only 269 suspects were arrested,” said the UWONET executive director, Rita Aciro Lapo.

According to Aciro, many victims have had their lives shattered. They now suffer in silence with unwanted pregnancies and a traumatised life due to abortion.”

“In the same year, 7,690 girls were defiled by relatives and close associates.

Only 3,836 suspects were arrested. Half of them did not make it to the courts of law,” added Lapo.

Others were subdued into silence by defilers/rapists, fear of stigma or forced into marriage through secret agreements among elders. As a result of domestic violence, 251 women were murdered. And only 181 cases were investigated.

VIOLENCE SPREADING

“Unfortunately, violence against women is becoming a cancer. The Government should allocate more money to combat violence against it,” observes Uganda Women’s Parliament Association programme coordinator, Agripinner Nandhego.

“Women are increasingly facing gender-based violence in physical, sexual, economic and emotional forms.”
According to Nandhego most cases of gender-based violence are reported when they are fatal, implying that those that cripple, hurt or infl ict pain go unreported.”

Nandhego stresses that reported cases are just a tip of the iceberg of millions of atrocities committed against girls and women. She blames it on the stigma attached to those who have been abused, fear of worse consequences if reported, failure by the Police to act on perpetrators and acceptance of violence by society.

A recent study by the Centre for Domestic Violence Prevention pegs the national cost of gender-based violence at sh55b per year, Lapo reveals.

Contrary to expectations, most Ugandan women are submissive and do not have their say. Even if they had an opinion, they just keep it to themselves because of traditional beliefs like ebyomunju tebitotolwa (never wash dirty linen in public), their economic dependence on men or the usual relationship counselling of persevere.

WHAT IS BEING DONE?

For effective response and management of gender-based violence, a Police Form 3 and 3A has been introduced to collect and document evidence on sexual violence in cases of rape and defilement. The form is a document on which the information to be used as reference in courts of law is written.

“It will have a fi le number and every other necessary detail,” said Uganda Police spokesperson Judith Nabakooba. She added: “The Police Forms are free of charge at Police units. The data entered by clinical officers, mid wives and doctors is expected to improve management of sexual offence cases.” Clinical officers, mid wives and doctors are authorized to examine a sexual violence victim.

THE REAL WAR

The Domestic Violence Act is a big step in recognising the rights of women.

“The real war has just begun. The introduction of Form 3 and 3A must be available at the police units. The health workers should learn how to use them,” said Dr. Sylvester Onzivua, a consultant forensic pathologist at Mulago Hospital.

The onus is upon the authorities to ensure that every victim is aware of their rights, has access to justice and attains necessary supportive measures.

“We should ensure that all the reported cases are safe, access immediate medical examination within 72 hours and receive justice,” asserted Dr. Onzivua.

The judiciary is expected to prioritise prosecution of gender-based violence cases and ensure that the perpetrators are held accountable.