To the Editor,
In the news over recent years, we have read and heard stories of elderly war criminals and paedophiles in their 80’s and 90’s, finally being brought to justice, and jailed for their crimes. Some uneducated people have made the comment “Why now, after all these years, why now?” These people have the belief that all should be forgiven and forgotten, simply because the offenders are now very old! But what about their victims, don’t they deserve some kind of compensation and closure?
At least “these” criminals are finally being exposed and punished, but what about the crime of domestic violence, usually where the “husband” is physically, emotionally, and mentally abusing his wife and children?
This crime is often swept under the carpet, kept in the family so as not to bring shame or embarrassment to the family. But what about the victims of these crimes, some committing suicide, or dying too young as a result of their physical, and or emotional and mental scars and injuries, or some just linger on through their miserable lives suffering from depression and anxiety, simply because they are a victim of domestic violence at the hands of a violent thug, and they cannot get on with their lives because the violent memories and the pain is too strong!
The perpetrators of domestic violence are similar to paedophiles in that they often live “double” lives. In private, they have their “secret” lives as criminals, physically, emotionally, and mentally abusing their victims.
However, more often than not, they have a PUBLIC image, a false/fake personality or persona, and are often “looked-up-to”, adored, admired, and respected by the general public. Sometimes they are even considered as “role-models”, and often described as “natures gentlemen”, or “sweet old men”.
I believe that one of the main problems with domestic violence is that people just don’t WANT to know the truth, they just can’t accept or believe the truth, they don’t want to have their beliefs shattered or destroyed by the TRUTH, the FACTS!
I was guilty of that “denial” when I heard about the alleged crimes of Rolf Harris, Bill Cosby, and other people that I had admired, but sometimes you just have to accept the TRUTH. Domestic violence is a CRIME, simple as that! Nobody has the right to bash, physically, emotionally, and mentally abuse another person, especially when their victims are smaller and weaker than them!
Rusty Marsh,
Moorbel