DEAR EDITOR,
A worrying number of women in the Solomon Islands experience domestic violence.
Statistics have shown almost 64% of women in our society have encountered domestic violence at some point in their lives.
Others never pursue help since domestic violence is accepted as a private matter which is normal.
It is also evident that some police are reluctant to impose their duty to protect victims from private acts of violence.
Moreover, our culture plays a role in silencing victims, that man dominates household hence incidents of domestic violence should not be reported.
Daily occurrences of domestic violence happen at homes but only 5% of the women report to police. Incidents are underreported because women are unsatisfied with the police response and response duration.
Others fear for their lives and avoid reporting incidents to the police due to receiving threats from offenders.
Families and communities must be heedful and vocal of such incidents and should report to responsible authorities.
Domestic violence is a human rights abuse. Although domestic violence is regarded as a private matter to some women, the human rights structure delivers a tool to challenge this opinion and reframe it as a mutual problem that society as a whole must address.
Our government recognizes and responds to the high rates of violence against women with significant Acts like the Family Protection Act.
Therefore, Police and responsible authorities must have the responsibility to exercise due diligence to prevent, examine and punish violators by imposing maximum penalties as the laws allow and protect the victims.
JILGINA KIMISI
S11015706
USP HONIARA CAMPUS