Rambachan slams lack of community involvement in tackling domestic violence

Tabaquite MP Dr Surujrattan Rambachan. -
Tabaquite MP Dr Surujrattan Rambachan. -

Tabaquite MP Dr Surujrattan Rambachan is taking issue with communities and religious organisations which do not take an active role in preventing and addressing domestic violence.

He is urging members of the public to be their brother's keeper in such situations.

Rambachan was contributing to debate on the Domestic Violence (Amendment) Bill in the House of Representatives on Tuesday.

He expressed concern about the habit of some communities of turning a blind eye to instances of abuse.

He said these old-fashioned trends where women were urged to put up with abusive behaviour from their spouses were not acceptable, and he called on the government to begin a public education campaign so families in need could understand their rights and legal options.

"I am particularly disturbed by the fact that leaders in the communities at the levels of churches, mandirs, mosques and so on are not doing enough to inform their congregations about domestic violence. I am still disturbed about how old values are still being used to influence people not to report domestic violence or continue to sit down and be the victims of domestic violence.

“If we are to make a leap, you will have to deal with it at the level of the schools."

Referring to recent incidents where women were wounded or killed by people against whom they had protection orders, Rambachan questioned the effectiveness of these orders and called for a revisiting of the fines issued to penalise breaches.

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"Rambachan slams lack of community involvement in tackling domestic violence"

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