By Sunday Amandi

Arua city

Members of the public are called upon to report cases of domestic violence to police or clan elders so as to avoid cases that lead to murder in families.
The officer in charge of the child and family protection unit in Arua central police station in Arua city, Assistant Inspector of Police Christine Driciru encouraged people not to suffer in silence but report cases of domestic violence so as to handle them in time.

Domestic violence is abuse that occurs in a domestic setting such as in marriage or cohabitation. In its broad sense, it involves violence against children, parents, or the elderly.

Driciru says, reporting cases of domestic violence is the only sure way to prevent cases from escalating in to complicated situations. “If there is no peace in families, I encourage the affected people to report so that others can come in to help in other to avoid domestic violence cases that lead to murder, these violence cases that lead to murder occur because they are not reported, “Driciru said.

Stephen Eguma, who is a family head in Arua city  encourages sharing of information with neighbors freely, so as to involve them in handling cases of domestic violence before they get out of hand. “Before you get involved in violence, report these issues to elders, if they cannot help, report to LCS or police. To stay peacefully, it’s good to share issues with neighbors, “said Eguma

But for Aldo Kwawun, family meetings can play a vital role in prevention of domestic violence cases in the communities. According to the Ugandan law, a person who engages in domestic violence commits an offence and is liable to imprisonment.

COVER PHOTO: Assistant Inspector of Police Christine Driciru By Sunday Amandi