Domestic violence is any form of violence in the home in order to have power and control over other
persons that cause them physical or emotional pain. The best way to understand the impact of family violence is to observe what is happening around us. For instance, wives are unfairly treated and children are deprived of their basic rights of love and respect. Family violence involves the use of force by one person against another. Many people use violence as a way of solving problems or protecting themselves. Wife beating, for instance, is a crime in our country and it is a problem that will not stop if we ignore it. Violence does not only occur within the family. Women and children are also at risk to sexual violence outside of the family. Family violence does not just happen by accident or mistake. This means it is a selfish way of controlling another person with threats or injury. There are ways it can be avoided. According to the principles of Human Rights and our national PNG laws, wife beating is illegal. The act is also morally wrong and against Christian teaching. Ideally speaking, a long-term marriage bond should be one that develops out of love and respect for one another. Roles within the marriage relationship should compliment each other. However, we know that this does not always happen. Wife beating is common in our society and has become normal behaviour for many husbands. Wife beating may occur because the wife does not do what her husband asks her to do; the husband is drunk or high on drugs; or the husband is feeling guilty. Many husbands do not admit making mistakes simply because of the cultural leadership and authority role they are expected to have over the family. The Papua New Guinea National Constitution doesn't allow men more freedom than women. The Constitution calls for freedom from all forms of domination and oppression. A husband never has the right to keep his wife under constant fear by threatening her. The payment of bride price is a cultural obligation to strengthen bonds between the husband and wife’s clans and families. It is not a right to take ownership over another person's life. Most PNG cultures are changing their traditional views of bride price to be in line with the PNG National Constitution and the laws. When there is domestic violence, it is usually the children who suffer the most and many will permanent mental damage. Some will inflict domestic violence on their future partners. It can be a vicious cycle. Rather than learning about the qualities of a good family, children learn about violence, mistrust, disrespect, and hiding secrets.
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