The French parliament is finally tackling this huge problem but perhaps too late for my late neighbour's daughter who put up with years of "being clumsy" and "walking into doors" and not being able to mention the real cause as it might bring shame on the family.
Despite warnings, threats from the police and social services, a couple of beatings from brothers-in-law, he goes back to drinking again and again. And smacks her and the kids.
She finally got out after the last beating when he even smacked her sister, leaving the filthy house and moving with the kids to a sweet little house in the village. The gendarmes were called of course, but they are bugger all use. So no one seems able or willing to stop him driving round her house, hooting, crying on the doorstep, ringing the bell at all hours.
This time, she had just returned from home from hip and knee reconstructive surgery and he kicked her so hard it had in part to be done again. Because he wanted her to get up and cook his potatoes!!
I wonder whether he will have an electronic tag on his leg, to his shame and family's and to the cruel amusement of the village.
Or will she let him in the house and will he yet again promise to be well behaved - until the next time!!
Hopefully if the tag is properly administered she won't have the option of letting him in even if he is able to persuade her that he has "changed."
ReplyDeleteThe tracking will show him to be somewhere where he is forbidden (ie, her house) and that should be that.
Part of the objective of this project is to help break the victim spiral, which is often unhappily what perpetuates the violence.
It won't be perfect, but it is a start.