By: Supreetha Gubbala
Recent police reports have revealed that National Police are facing a novel increase in violence occurring against men.
Their Gender-Based violence situation report from January-May 2011 recorded four men who were killed by their wives, seven who have committed suicide because of their wives and shocking17 men who have been assaulted by their wives.
In total, the number of men who have experienced violence from their partners stood at 28 in the five-month period, a number that has increased since 2010.
The leading causes of these cases were identified as family conflicts, dispute over land and adultery.
Director of Public Relations and Spokesperson for the police in Kigali,Sup. Theos Badege told Igihe that: “The figure of men killed by their wives is increasing, and therefore we are trying to increase awareness of gender-based violence against both men and women.
“We have encouraged men experiencing the violence to be more comfortable and report these incidents.” He stressed.
He outlined five preventative mechanisms currently being used by the Police and the GBV partners to resolve this rising issue.
He cited encouragement to resolve family problems amicably, seeking family and/ or relative mediation and the use of legal means to solve disputes as the major ways of curbing gender-based violence.
Badege further observed that better management of family property as well as choosing for divorce as a valid option instead of killing each other when cohabitation is no longer possible.
According to the police spokesman, due to this rise in cases of violence against men the Police have had to change some of the ways that they traditionally used dealing with GBV.
“We have a One Stop center which combines clinical and investigative care after one experiences domestic violence,” Badege said adding that the center was at first staffed with females because women were the victims but they have had to include males to balance the resolve.
Asked whether male victims might feel uncomfortable reporting to female police constables, Badege supported their methodology saying: “The protocol shows that dealing with the same sex is a better environment for victims.”
However, he did admit that further research should be conducted. Either way it is clear that they issue of GBV can no longer be only women as victims, and further investigation must be taken to uncover this dangerous trend occurring in and around Kigali City.
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