Research shows domestic violence is major problem
While almost all of us have an opinion on the subject of domestic violence, most of our knowledge on the subject comes either from our own experience or what we hear from our friends. This morning, however, I had the chance to find out just how big a problem we may be facing.
There have been numerous meetings over the last several years discussing the problem of domestic violence, but today was the first time that statistics are being provided….and from the looks of things, the situation has gotten out of control. The data, which is the result of a study conducted by Doctor Joseph Iyo, a UCB researcher hired by the Belize Organization For Women and Development, outlines the problem as it exists in the Belize District.
Dr. Joseph IYO, Researcher
“We can say that the underlying factors are economics. The very serious problem behind that, our relations, men and women. Somebody wants to control the house, so it’s a struggle between men and women and the men are stronger, physically, they abuse the women.
Joseph says there are a number of factors why women stay in an abusive relationship and he believes if there were positive alternatives available to them, women would not hesitate to leave.
Doctor Joseph Iyo
“From the research, we have found that most women don’t have a viable alternative, they don’t have anywhere to run to. In the serious cases that we found out, women don’t know where to go to, whether they are experiencing domestic violence. Because they don’t have no money, they can’t rent a house, they can’t take care of the children, so they stay in the domestic violence situation because they have no alternative.
A total of one hundred and thirty one women and fifty one men filled out questionaires that specifically asked them what they think constitutes domestic violence and why they believe they are being abused. The survey revealed that seventy two percent of the cases studied involve alcohol, while sixty six percent linked the violence to drugs, sixty five percent to jealousy, sixty point nine percent to outside affairs and forty nine percent to unemployment. Gaynor Ferguson Palacio, BOWAND’s coordinator, says the organization is only too happy to receive some concrete numbers.
Gaynor Ferguson Palacio, Coordinator, BOWAND
“I am excited about it because for too long we have been operating in the dark, playing the guessing games, not being really sure when it comes to what exactly is happening out there but now we have facts that we can use and we can quote. It’s also an opportunity for us to measure the impact of what we now intend to do.
The research which started in August took two months to complete Palacio says the study is just the first of many to come. BOWAND says as soon as they get additional funds, a nationwide research project on domestic violence will be undertaken.
In case you’re wondering about the two ribbons I’m wearing, the pink one signifies support to efforts to end violence against women, while the yellow ribbon seeks to bring an end to child abuse.
