Court suspends sentence of domestic violence survivor

National

By ZEDAIAH KANAU
A SURVIVOR of domestic violence has been given a suspended sentence by the National Court and placed on probation after she had stabbed her husband in their home in Port Moresby last year.
Acting judge Justice Laura Wawun-Kuvi sentenced Edith Agaru, 28, of Gomore village in Rigo, Central to three years in jail but suspended the sentence for the same length of time.
“I find that there is a special and exceptional factor, and that is the offender is a survivor of domestic violence,” Justice Wawun-Kuvi said.
“The State has not negated that the offender is such a victim and that she has suffered years of abuse perpetrated by the hands of the (husband) (who) maintained this at the time of arrest.
“In fact, the deposition and the victim impact statement supports this. She has also been granted a family protection order, restraining the victim from further contacting her.”
Justice Wawun-Kuvi said according to Agaru’s statement, the husband had always assaulted her when she asked him about his whereabouts.