The Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee is of the view that “deviant” behavior by men and women is not just limited to the coastal areas but could also be a problem that breathes life in the interior of Guyana.

Domestic violence continues to be one of the biggest social ills in Guyana. The country has seen a steady increase in cases of domestic violence and in most cases women have found themselves as victims. So far in 2013, nine women have lot their lives during domestic disputes with their spouses. The Police Force has received scores of other reports of domestic abuse and hundreds of abusive partners have found themselves before the courts on assault charges.

While the Ministry of Human Services advises women who find themselves in abusive relationships to get out as soon as possible, the Minister of Home Affairs wants to know What is a man suppose to do?

Speaking at a forum which was examining the social impact of mining, Minister Rohee said the issue of domestic violence should be examined with particular attention being paid to the actual causes.

“Persons go to work in the gold mines, when they return, they find their wife or reputed wife with another man or woman, sleeping in bed. And you know what? Domestic violence”, Rohee quipped.

He said while some persons believe that domestic violence takes place only on the coastland, it is a phenomenon that also has its roots in living in the interior for an extended period of time.

The Minister asked “What is a man to do, who having gone into the interior making all these months of sacrifice, returns home to find him being displaced by someone else? He has made the sacrifices and his partner has not. I am not justifying his actions but this is perhaps a problem that we have to address”.

The Home Affairs Minister is convinced that the upsurge in mining activities “has brought with it a whole host of social problems”. He said the scattered the population of the interior is itself a challenge for persons who may be seeking help to address social ills. Rohee noted that while in the coastland areas, services and offices are readily available to address those concerns, the same does not take place in the interior region.

Over the years, the Guyana Police Force which falls under the Ministry of Home Affairs has come in for criticism for its handling of cases of domestic violence. The court system has also found itself facing criticism. And then there are cases where the victims would file complaints and when the issues reaches the court, they would refuse to give evidence.

Related posts:

Top Cop’s swipe is political and unbecoming -Rohee “Floating whore houses” a major challenge in Guyana -Rohee Rohee fires off at Police Investigators Rohee wants evidence of PPP “criminal cabal”