Everyone is equal before the law

 DOMESTIC and family violence happens all the time but most cases are not reported to the police, while only the serious or peculiar ones are reported in the news media.

Take the case of the prominent lawyer who allegedly assaulted his mother-in-law at Tokarara, in Port Moresby, on New Year’s Eve.

The victim promptly reported the matter to National Capital District police and the media, which have been pursuing the suspect for almost a month.

NCD police commander Andy Bawa has confirmed that the lawyer refuses to face the legal process and has gone into hiding.

“Allegations have been made against him and as a senior lawyer and a concerned citizen he must present himself.”

It is downright irresponsible for him to be hiding from the law and the justice system that he has sworn on oath to protect.

“A lawyer should be upholding the law and not abuse it. He must come out and surrender,” the victim of the alleged assault said.

Her husband added: “I don’t hit my wife and I am sorry that a prominent lawyer could do something like that.”

Bawa and his policemen should not take this matter lightly, especially the lawyer’s continued threats to the victim’s daughter and family members, and issue a warrant of arrest if he refuses to surrender.

This senior lawyer is well aware that no one is above the law and he is only making matters worse for himself by hiding from the police and continuing to issue threats to his wife’s family.

The only way that domestic and family violence can be dealt with effectively is for victims to report their cases promptly to police who should respond immediately by apprehending and charging the suspects.

In that particular lawyer’s case, it seems that NCD police have been lenient on the suspect and have not vigorously pursued him despite the serious allegations of assault. 

The victim even revealed the incident on national television but so far little or nothing has been done to apprehend the lawyer.

In another case involving another prominent lawyer-cum-politician, NCD police have not acted on the complaint of an expatriate company manager since he was allegedly assaulted in October last year.  

This lack of response and inaction by the police indicates that they apply the law selectively on prominent citizens, which is a gross miscarriage of justice and inequality.

While these incidents may become case studies for law students, a group of young people in Port Moresby are undergoing training on how to combat domestic and family violence.

The 12-week “Em Pawa” programme is the brainchild of social entrepreneur Eddie Aila, who wants to educate young Papua New Guineans about the effects and ways to combat family and domestic violence. His company, Aila Consulting Limited, has rolled out the expense-free leadership programme, which will begin in March.

“Be prepared to transform your lives and your results; understand how to combat family violence and be a champion against this cause.”

At the end of the three months course, there will be an opportunity for one lucky participant to become part of the “One Thousand Strong Men Against Family Violence” team and work closely with Aila. 

He or she will be groomed to become a training facilitator and coach with Aila Consulting Limited.

Although the training is open to males and females, Aila says: “We realise men need proper help to overcome family violence.”

This unique initiative is being implemented by Aila and his company as part of their social obligation to the community.

Indeed, it would be wise of the relevant government authorities and agencies, including the Ministry of Religion, Youth and Community Development, to support this initiative, financially or otherwise.

Minister Loujaya Kouza should meet with Aila and discuss ways to expand his programme so that more young people are able to participate.

Great ideas come from the little people such as Eddie Aila who is a beacon of hope for young people in this violence-ridden society of ours.

Let’s help him to help others.