Can Domestic Violence be Justified? Man Beats Lover for Stealing His Money

There is never any justification to perpetuate domestic violence, no matter the circumstance
There is never any justification to perpetuate domestic violence, no matter the circumstance.
A story on popular Ghanaian blog, Modern Ghana, detailed how an unnamed man reportedly beat his live-in-lover for always stealing his money to buy alcoholic beverages.
According to the site, the straw which broke the camel’s back was on Saturday night, after the woman returned home heavily drunk from celebrating the victory of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo as Ghana’s President elect.
He allegedly descended on her with a dog chain, beating her mercilessly and leaving her with sores all over her body. The lady reported the matter to her parents who wanted his arrest, but he hurriedly went begging for forgiveness and habitually, the matter was dropped.
This is the scenario that plays out in most homes/relationships where domestic violence is experienced.
The tragic death of Ronke Shonde made the rounds in June and remains fresh in our memory. According to her husband, Lekan, who denied murdering his wife, Ronke was allegedly cheating on him with her boss. The Autopsy however revealed ‘respiratory seizure’ as the cause of death, and such a seizure could be caused by a severe blow to the head.

In November, a Morrocan TV station sparked outrage and came under serious attack for urging women to cover bruises with makeup , during a show. The station later apologised for this but its action showed that the culture of silence is still being promoted in many parts of the world.
No doubt, the subject is slowly receiving attention and the cycle of shame and silence, gradually being broken as more people are speaking out against domestic violence and exiting abusive relationships but there remains a lot of work to be done.
The United Nations just concluded its annual 16 days of activism against gender based violence on December 10. While addressing a UN Women-hosted
Orange the World event at UN Headquarters in New York, Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon noted that till date, the statistics of victims of domestic violence remains alarming.
“The statistics almost defy belief. What is even harder to understand is why: why men prey on women and girls; why societies shame the victims, why governments fail to punish deadly crimes, why the world denies itself the fruits of women’s full participation.”
Ms. Mlambo-Ngcuka (Exec Director, UN Women), noted that ridding the society of this evil is a job for everyone in society – including men and women, the media and the religious community. And that together we can address the inequality and prejudice that enable and enflame violence against women and girls.
Nothing justifies the act of physical and/or emotional abuse against weaker persons.
If a relationship no longer serves it purpose, both vested parties should be free to move on.