DEPUTY Police Commissioner Juanita Matanga says police have recorded a high number of domestic violence or family violence cases this month alone.
Speaking at the weekly police conference yesterday, Ms Matanga said during the period from August 1 to August 17, the total cases reported to police were 47.
“Just last week alone from August 16 there are 25 cases,” she said.
“It seems the number of these cases continue to increase,” Ms Matanga added .
“It is a concern for the police.”
Ms Matanga said if violence continues to increase in our homes it will cause behaviour that is unacceptable in our society.
“This is where it is important that people must learn to respect one another.
“If we continue to have this behaviour we will not have a happy society because people no longer have respect.”
She said it is therefore important that respect must always be maintained in our homes so that when we go out we can show that respect.
She said this is why she uses the media to tell people especially those involved in family violence that it is good that they sit down and talk about problems rather than resort to physical violence.
“This behaviour will continue to affect our children.
“Once we are not careful our children will be affected by this behaviour and it this will continue to affect our society.
“It is important that parents must act responsibly to ensure whatever differences in their home must sit down and work it through in a way that will not resort to physical violence.”
Ms Matanga added that despite other agencies and the police talking about family violence, cases continue to come to their attention through reports they received.
She said there are other avenues available to help those who are involved in family violence and one of them are the churches.
The deputy police commissioner advised those who have any issues at home and don’t want to end up involving in physical violence to make sure to go to those venues to seek counselling.
“Go to the churches so they can help you do counselling.
“It is quite a concern on us and I am appealing to husbands who are heads of the home to play their responsibilities seriously.”
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
