The Future in Flames

Social infrastructure is the engine of progress and if mediating institutions are not optimal then the whole economic system crumbles. One of those mediating systems is the institution of justice. How can we protect women from violence if the very institutions meant to protect them fail their duty utterly? 

Today I had a grave experience trying to save a woman from domestic abuse. After frantic attempts with the neighboring women trying to separate the husband from assaulting his wife, we called the local center for gender-based violence and recovery and explained the horrible incident. To our surprise, they responded promptly and called the local police and for a moment we felt euphoria that justice was going to be served. 

But this moment was to be short-lived soon after we landed at the police station. At this point, we were the three of us, the accused, his wife, and I with the police. The man was deeply patriarchal and expressed his rights to violence against his own wife, he was the least bit remorseful for his actions to the extent that he made sure to point out that he was going to repeat his ill-fated actions. He knew he could do whatever he wants. His wife on the other hand was quiet, she felt helpless and to her, this was another long exhausting day. She knew nothing would be done which at first I thought a little too pessimistic but how torn and disappointed to discover she was right. I couldn't hold back tears just imagining being in her shoes.

At no single point did the police (who were all women) ask the victim about her experience and history with her husband. They all assumed to be experts in saving marital relationships and giving advice to unlawful men. Bear in mind that at no single point did the man deny the accusations which were horrible: grave assault to his wife in front of his children, sparring death threats, and physical and emotional abuse to his three young children between the ages of one to five years, and a history of violence for years. The police didn't care about the history of violence or the safety of the woman but they all cared about being called saviors of marital affairs. At no point did they ask thought-provoking questions, of whether the man had the capability to change his behavior or whether the woman was in actual danger of losing her life?! 

I have a lot of questions in regards to the Kenyan police service:

• Why are there no guidelines in interrogations?
• Is there accountability in the sector?
• Is there training to understand future implications of various crimes?

Where is the line crossed; a point where we definitely say this person is a danger to civilians and should be locked up for good? In a society where women don't get the justice they deserve, what is the future of that country? If we can't protect the integrity of a family institution, the well-being of a child and, respect for women, we have already put dreams in shackles and the future in flames.