Editorial

Domestic Violence Is Complex … 3 Dead violently, Ja. W.I.

Breaking News

There has been many cases of multiple killings in human sexual relationships aka Domestic Violence.  Spousal abuse is common in many places around the globe. Unfortunately children are in too many cases used as pawns in relationship disputes.  In too many societies complaints by partners are frowned on as “it is their private affair” and external parties should not intervene. It is invariably when violence reaches levels that “disturb the peace or public order” that law enforcement gets involved.

United States Of America etc.

On both sides of the spousal fence children have been caught up in the virtual cross-fire.  Innocent bystanders who in many cases innocent children are used as weapons by the combatants.  In the USA and UK and elsewhere women have been known to drown or otherwise harm their children.  Why this madness?

Men are not innocent either. We are focusing on women in this segment of my article. A man in Jamaica W.I. has been arrested for killing his two children and pregnant spouse.

    In Jamaica  …. 3 Dead

A triple Murder in Hanover occurred by a father who accused his partner Ms. Adanique Cunningham 38 …  by (her spouse) Paul Coote 60 who allegedly used a machete to chop his two children Jeanna Coote 7 and Shanique Coote 4 and pregnant common law woman to death after an alleged argument about infidelity.  It is alleged that Paul said the pregnancy of his spouse was not for him.

Today April 25, 2018 on this piece of Paradise in Green Island, Hanover, Ja. W.I., a father killed his two children and the Common-law woman/wife of his children.  We later learnt that he accused her of getting pregnant currently for another man.  So jealousy/infidelity is the possible motive.

Susan Smith Convicted

In the USA the case one Susan Smith comes to mind, who was born in 1971.  Susan had a troubled past with her parents divorced when she was 6.  Five weeks later her father committed suicide.  Some weeks later her mother remarried.  Susan is reported as having slept with three different men.  In 1994 Susan married boyfriend David Smith.  They had two sons together Michael 3, & Alex 1. Their relationship was said to be rocky and they separated several times.  Susan was diagnosed with Dependent personality disorder and major depression. She was convicted for murdering her two sons.

What is Dependent Personality Disorder and major depression?

These illnesses have been described as people who are unwilling to assume responsibility because they are unable to function and make decisions by themselves.  Because of the dominance of a significant person in their life who may have been abusive either psychologically, emotionally or physically …. this may lead to helplessness and suppressed anger.  Ultimately major depression.  They may even deny this anger as they may be fearful they may lose affection and a feeling they may operate on their own.

Perspective

The major depression is therefore an off shoot from dependent personality disorder. It should be noted that psychological and emotional disorders are oftentimes misdiagnosed. Source Hazeline Jemieson, clinical psychologist.

Pawns

Why are children being used as pawns in these domestic violence cases?  Repeatedly children are being used as pawns.   It is not fair, children are so beautiful, These innocent little babies are even used in custody battle cases where people even in Jamaica resort to this practice.

Custody

In a recent high-profile case a former Miss World was in a very public child custody battle with her spouse.  Her child sadly got caught up in this custody mess.  She even went as far as taking the child out of the country in an effort to try to spite her child’s father or to have the child for herself … thank God the law settled the matter … it really was shameful indeed.

Is she aware that this could lead to possible long term psychological scar on her child?

Disturbed

People like those must be mentally or severely emotionally disturbed to behave in such a manner.  Unfortunate!

Domestic violence is complex ….  it affects all classes.  What is your perspective?  This is ours.

Hopeton O’Connor-Dennie is Senior International Correspondent & Photojournalist for Vision Newspaper.

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