Minister of Gender Equality and Child Welfare Doreen Sioka

The Minister of Gender Equality and Child Welfare Doreen Sioka recently made a speech urging women who lay charges of domestic abuse not to withdraw them. This is an admirable speech, but where are the tangible, effective programs to help these women once they step up and demand justice? Women are predominantly the victims of domestic violence. Most back away from their initial charges of abuse for a variety of reasons. Ignorance leads to charge withdrawals. We must eradicate the ‘belief’ in the community (and the disinterested, misogynistic police officers taking these reports) that women ‘deserve’ or are the cause…