With Domestic Violence Rising
PHOTO: Latest woman victim of domestic violence undergoing treatment in hospital
KARNPLAY, Nimba County, Liberia- First it was in the southeastern Sinoe County many months ago and now it has happened here in this northeastern part of the country, where a man has splash acid chemical on the private part of his girlfriend.
The man, Cooper Siaway, age 41, has been arrested by Police here in northeastern city and is undergoing investigation for allegedly splashing acid on his girlfriend private part, leaving her seriously injured and is admitted in hospital.
Domestic violence in Liberia has become the order of the day and a major challenge to contend with, despite the passage of the domestic violence Law few years ago. According to Act, penalty for the crime of domestic violence shall not exceed one year.
According to the reports, suspect Siaway had asked his 24-year-old girlfriend to have sexual intercourse with him and she agreed. But while in the process, he splashed the acid on her private part, an action that was said to have been pre-meditated. He and the young woman have four children.
Defendant Siaway is also said to have committed similar act in 2022 by forcing a torchlight into his girlfriend’s private part over accusations that she having extra love affairs.
Defendant Cooper Siaway
The survivor is currently seeking medical treatment at the Karnplay health center in Nimba.
In his 6th and final state of the nation address, president George Manneh Weah boasted of the passage of the Domestic Violence Act but it is not yielding fruits at all.
The Liberian leader told the joint session of the 54th Legislature at the Capitol Building yesterday, January 30, 2023:
“Thank you also for the passage of the Domestic Violence Act, which is expected to promote gender equality and protect women and children from domestic violence. This law is intended to reduce the entrenched gender inequality practices which were on the increase in our country. Let me assure you that these laws will continue to be fully and appropriately enforced under my Administration.”