Every day, dozens of people in Thailand are victims of domestic violence. What is the government doing to protect them?
A network dedicated to combating gender-based violence is raising the alarm over rising cases of domestic violence in Thailand, calling on the government to implement legal reforms to better protect victims and crack down on perpetrators.
Alarming figures
According to Varaporn Chamsanit, secretary general of the Sexualities Studies Association and representative of the Coalition Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Thailand, an average of 15.000 people in the country admitted to hospitals due to injuries from domestic violence. This means that more than 41 people every day need medical attention as a result of abuse.
Figures from the Women and Men Progressive Movement Foundation show that by 2023 at least 1.086 cases were reported through the media. In 75% of the cases serious assault or murder committed by one of the partners. In the case of violence between unmarried couples, 49% of the cases used a firearm.
Legislation falls short
Despite the seriousness of the problem, current legislation does not sufficiently protect victims. The existing laws contain major shortcomings:
- Lenient punishments for perpetrators, which means that perpetrators of violence often get away without serious consequences.
- Too much emphasis on reconciliation, which often works to the detriment of victims and puts pressure on them to remain in an abusive relationship.
- Legal loopholes that help perpetrators avoid prosecution, because certain provisions leave room for different interpretations.
- No clear cooperation between government agencies, which means that victims do not always receive the help and protection they need.
Although the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security has proposed legislative changes, the coalition says the plans remain inadequate. Without robust changes, victims remain vulnerable and perpetrators often go unpunished.
Call for immediate reform
The Coalition Against Gender-Based Violence is calling on the Thai government to thoroughly review the law. Tougher penalties, better protection for victims and clear cooperation between agencies are necessary to truly tackle domestic violence.
The Thai government must now act with stricter laws and better protection for victims. Without immediate action, the safety of thousands of people will remain at risk.
Source: Bangkok Post – https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2976353/domestic-violence-cases-prompt-call-to-action
Appropriate punishments for those who abuse their partner are of course good. But awareness helps more: where can you easily go? How do you report this if you are a victim or suspect that someone is a victim? And hammer home that this kind of behavior is totally unacceptable, that no one is the absolute boss (despot), that you have to talk, consult, give and take.
But whoever does have to deal with this should be able to find help easily and the perpetrator(s) should be punished properly. Mediation is nice, when the relationship only has normal tension/problems.