Saturday, September 27, 2003
Domestic violence, a vicious cycle: priest
PANABO City Parish Catholic priest Rev. Raymond R. Suela said Friday that domestic violence is a vicious cycle and is often committed by people who are also victims of abuse in their youth.
Suela, who was among the guests at the Talakayan sa Gambriel at Gambriel Resort, Panabo City, said domestic violence is not only a problem of the family but a problem of the society.
"Violence builds up until it becomes a cycle, and this becomes incurable unless the person who shows violence himself admits that he needs to be treated," Suela said.
He added that a child, who often sees his mother being hit by his father or vice versa, is prone to hit his partner when he gets married.
"The most abused persons in the home are the older persons, women and the children. Children tend to follow what they see, so setting a good example is very important," Suela said.
"You might think that children don't worry about parents fighting at home and that they will soon forget what they see but you're wrong. Children who witness domestic violence can be badly affected themselves," he added.
Panabo City Councilor Connie Gumban, chair of the Women and Children's Committee, said that domestic violence comes in many forms and these include physical abuse, verbal, psychological, emotional and economic abuse.
"Even if your partner does not physically hit you, but you are being insulted and become the recipient of derogatory remarks, that is still abuse, and if your partner shirks his obligation and does not support you financially, that is economic abuse," Gumban said. RCB
(September 27, 2003 issue)
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