Domestic violence a disease in the country, says magistrate

By MAX AUMORA JR
Magistrate Rosemary Koimo has described domestic violence as “a disease in the country.”
She expressed these sentiments in Boroko District Court yesterday when handing down a decision on a man charged for unlawfully assaulting his de facto partner during an argument in March.
In court to receive the decision was Samson Pusal.
The court ordered Pusal, a father of one child, to be put on good behaviour bond for a year.
It imposed conditions which effectively restrained him from further assaulting, harassing, and insulting his partner.
In the event that Pusal breaches any of the conditions, he is to be imprisoned immediately at Bomana Jail for three months.
Koimo pointed out that many marriage relationships were not a “smooth ride”.
She said it depended on how the couple handled the relationship, adding it was better to talk about issues rather than resorting to violence.
Of particular concern to her was the situation where children were exposed to domestic violence.
Koimo said they were likely to involve themselves in such behaviour when they grew up.
“Domestic violence is a learned behaviour,” she said