Enabling Thai police to stop violence against women and children

A meeting in Nonthaburi province was held to counter violence targeting women and children. A survey reveals that most violence is perpetrated within families.

Nonthaburi (Asianews) – Sensitizing the Thai police to rein in rampant violence against children and women: this was the aim of an official meeting held by the governor of Nonthaburi province (Thailand), Phranai Suwanarat, for more than 200 people. Those present included Police Chief, Kumrop Panyakaew, members of the provincial labour party, representatives of the social and labour welfare department and a Buddhist monk, Phra Phayom Kalayano, who is president of the Suankaew foundation.

The objective of stimulating awareness among police to stop violence targeting children and women comes from the United Nations. The participants declared themselves in favour of stopping violence as much as possible.

The meeting also covered domestic violence. A study by the Business Institute, Turakit Bandit, revealed that most violence takes place within the family. Domestic friction is caused by financial problems (40%), adultery (20%), little regard for human dignity (18.20%) and lack of respect for one's spouse (12.2 %).

The figures show only 12.5% of injured women report their case to the police; the rest would say it is a domestic problem and not of public interest. Others are afraid to reveal incidents of domestic violence because of possible consequences.

An interesting finding was that 50.5 % of injured women turn to the Pawena Hongsakul Foundation (run by Pawena Hongsakul, a well known political figure in Thailand) for assistance.

Children suffering abuse are helped by the Suankaew foundation. The Buddhist monk, Phra Phayom Kalayano president of the foundation, says he is "trying to help street children, giving them compulsory education or professional training such as carpentry. The children are given four US dollars per day for their labour: shelter is not included. And I teach them basic Buddhist doctrines."

Even the Thai Catholic Church is committed to tackling the problem of violence, which may be countered by mutual understanding and social justice.

These were the themes of the Peace and Human Rights Day marked on 23 November by the Justice and Peace Commission of the Thai Bishops' Conference. The family and society can become non-violence and peaceful only if and when social justice is a reality.

• THAILAND
• VIOLENCE
• WOMEN
• CHILDREN
• SURVEY
• FAMILY
• POLICE
• HUSBANDS