The end result of domestic violence

Domestic violence is fast becoming a huge issue in Papua New Guinea with many women ending up dead as a result of the brutal treatment they receive regularly at the hands of their husbands or partners (see photo below). Interestingly, domestic violence is a relatively new phenomenon in PNG; traditionally stiff penalties were handed out by clan elders if husbands were caught beating up on their wives.

Here’s a couple of photos which came my way recently and show the back of a women not long after a domestic during which she she was fatally stabbed by her husband.

Fatal knife wound as a result of domestic violence (7/4/08)

Fatal knife wound as a result of domestic violence (7/4/08)

I’d like to leave you with the following poem on this most disturbing topic…

Isolated and Controlled

Why do I always stand accused?
Why are you my judge, my jury, my gray skies
That once were blue?
You say you love me with all of your heart..
We took our vows, til death do us part..
Yet, your type of love hurts and tears me apart..
I always spent my days all alone..
No one to talk to, until you came home..
You never wanted me to make friends or go to the mall..
I had to stand by the phone and wait for your calls..
My children you wanted out of my life…
You managed to succeed, never caring about their pain
And strife..
Your favorite term for me is “I’m lowdown”..
Your tore my world apart–crumbling it to the ground..
Now I’ve left and am trying to start anew..
But deep inside I still love you..
But my heart and my mind know we are through..
You threaten to take your life..
As you no longer have your wife..
Why did you not think about the things that brought
Me to where I am today?
Instead of the isolation and control, always doing as you Say..
I walked on eggshells and lived in fear..
Every day was filled with painful tears..
Now I choose to walk away and let “us” go..
As I can no longer live being isolated and controlled.

Copyright NightRaven