A 38-year-old man was arrested following the police response to a domestic violence report.
Sergeant Mfanafuthi Nyembe of Dannhauser SAPS Communications and Liaison, said the man was charged with malicious damage to property, assault and contravention of an existing protection order.
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“It’s alleged the suspect breached the protection order by forcing entry into his ex-girlfriend’s home, when he jumped over the wall, broke a window and the burglary bars to gain entry to her house,” Nyembe said.
Once inside the house, Nyembe added the suspect then began to assault the victim by punching her.
The police were summoned and arrested the suspect at the scene, after which he was charged accordingly and will appear in the Dannhauser Magistrate’s Court soon.
What is domestic violence?
Domestic violence can affect anyone in any community, regardless of age, economic status, sexual orientation, gender, race, religion, or nationality, and includes physical, verbal, emotional, economic, religious, and sexual abuse.
The leading causes of domestic violence are financial strain, jealousy, and adultery, and is often not reported, because the victim is too scared, or is too easily placated by niceties like gifts, flowers or dining and wining.
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Below is a list of behavioural signs indicative of domestic violence:
– The victim expresses fear or anxiety
– Receive frequent, harassing phone calls from their partner
– Try to talk about their partner’s temper, jealousy, or possessiveness
– They might have frequent injuries, with the excuse of “accidents”
– They frequently miss work, school, or social occasions, without explanation
– They tend to dress in clothing designed to hide bruises or scars (e.g. wearing long sleeves in the summer or sunglasses indoors)
– They have a very low self-esteem, even if they used to be confident
– They show major personality changes (e.g. an outgoing person becomes withdrawn)
– They are constantly depressed, anxious, or suicidal
– They are restricted from seeing family and friends
– They rarely go out in public without their partner
– They have limited access to money, credit cards, or the car.
Victims of abuse should apply for a protection order against the abuser. By getting such an order, your partner may not enter the family home or your workplace.
“If the abuser contravenes the protection order, they will be arrested and charged for not complying with a court order,” said Newcastle SAPS Corporate Communications and Liaison Officers.
The department advised that there were many facilities to assist women in abusive relationships, such as health workers at their clinic, counsellors from their local welfare offices or the national toll-free Stop Women Abuse hotline: 0800 150 150.
Victims can also contact their local police station, or SAPS emergency number 10111 and SAPS Crime Stop 08600 10111.
Abuse in any manner, shape or form is not okay, and should be reported.
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