Something very wrong with island

GUERNSEY’S problem with domestic abuse could indicate something is fundamentally wrong at the heart of the island’s community, according to the Home minister.

A new initiative to deal with an increasing number of cases will be debated in the States next week.

Deputy Geoff Mahy said the quality of work undertaken to produce the plans should be applauded.

He said police had dealt with 229 high-risk cases in 2008 and there had already been 187 in the first six months of this year.

‘We have a serious problem in this island,’ he said at a public presentation on the strategy. ‘I wondered whether there needed to be an extra dimension to this strategy and have someone research the initiating factors that cause domestic abuse.

‘That probably needs a lot of funding but you would be actually getting down to what turns a corner on this.

‘Is there something wrong within our community that is contributing to this, because it is really worrying?’

Hunter Adam, chairman of the Social Policy Group, which has been given responsibility for the Policy Council strategy, gave the presentation and told the audience that Guernsey had seen a rise in reported domestic abuse.

The number of cases more than doubled between 2005 and 2008, rising from eight to 17 per week.

And Guernsey has had four unlawful killings and one attempted murder in the last 10 years that were attributed to domestic abuse. (from thisisguernsey)

Its worrying, but in today's society can it be controlled?

Several years ago the police and the courts said they were going to crack down on domestic violence. What has happened since? It's spiralling out of control, and that must surely be due (to some extent) on the pathetic sentencing policy of the courts. Fines, suspended sentences, community service etc are not severe enough. If people knew that they were looking at 6 months or a year inside for domestic assault they would think a lot harder before offending.

The courts are also pathetic when it comes to sentences for child pornography and abuse of children. Why is it that this is the case?

Get caught with a personal amount of a controlled substance and you get hammered, fiddle with children or beat the missus up and it's slapped wrist time.

It's wrong.

Look at the other angle. A woman is beaten by her partner, reports the incident he is arrested, taken away, problem solved. In the cold light of day she realises that she is now alone, no support and wants her man back so she drops the charges. It happens all to often. Once I heard of the story of a woman in court having a real go at the cop who arrested her husband and he was sent down for a month. How many of the incidents reported to the police go all the way to prosecution, so what is the deterrent, perhaps male family members taking the coward around the back of the bike sheds and dishing out some like medicine, without witnesses.
I do not blame women who get beaten because they are abused but they have to make the stand no one else and that believe me is easier said than done.

Statistically, as many men are subject to domestic violence as women, yet the Police do not take complains seriously and there is no support network for them in Guernsey.

Maybe 'ealth 'n Safety should insist on anger management courses for any couple thinking of either marrying or living together....give them something 'real' to do!!!!

I agree with Plimmerton
too often ( and it is usually the woman) after things have cooled down
they change their mind and retract
Unfortunately I was involved in one of those cases...
He drank...she insulted him for drinking...he lashed out, she retaliated...than would call the police and demand that they do something about it
But as soon as the Police asked her if she wanted to lay charges , she started to vacillate (they were running a fish and chip shop and he was "needed")
I sort of lost patience than...I told her that if she wanted to change things, she had to do it herself, she could come and stay with me overnight or for as long as she needed...but she had to make up her own mind about it!
She went back...but a while later they sold the shop and she finally left
No wonder the Policemen don't want to respond to "domestics"...a lot of paperwork for nothing, most of the time!
The answer, and I do realise that would be difficult on a small Island...
a "shelter" for the abused, man and women, where they could feel safe and have the time to collect their thoughts and decide about the future...that is for the "real cases" of domestic violence...because if they both get drunk and than start brawling...I will through them both in the slammer and hose them down
Rant over

Anomiso, there is a Women's Refuge here in Guernsey, which is the 'shelter' that you refer to. Unfortunately, as Spirit states above, there is no real support network for abused males at the moment.

There has been a fair bit in the media just recently and it certainly appears as if there is commitment, in the form of money and resources, being put towards this area just now.

There is help available for anyone involved in domestic violence in the Bailiwick -

Options at LINKEY

Domestic Violence Forum at LINKEY 2

Guernsey Police Domestic Violence unit at LINKEY 3




.

I believe once a complaint is made and assuming sufficient evidence,the case is prosecuted.Having said that perhaps the "statistics"may indicate more willingness to report incidents not more incidents?