Male abuse victims withdraw charges

Onalenna Kelebeile | Thursday November 6, 2014 12:06

Police are disturbed by this seeming growing trend of male victims of domestic violence withdrawing cases after laying charges against their perpetuators.

One of the victims informed police of his  decision to withdraw charges while recuperating in hospital after sustaining injuries inflicted by his lover. The man’s partner reportedly poured boiling water over the victim at Distands location.

In another incident, a young man sustained wounds inflicted by his girlfriend, following a misunderstanding. The woman is said to have charged at her lover with a knife, stabbing her below his right shoulder. However, the victim also decided to withdraw the charge.

Speaking with Station Commander Superintendent Victor Nlebesi, he said it women often  withdraw cases lodged against their boyfriends. According to his observations, men are also doing the same.

He, however, noted that there was little they could do to pursue the matter since the complainants are the key witnesses in the matters.

“When the victims decide to withdraw charges, it becomes difficult to continue with the cases because our investigations depend heavily on the complainants,” he said.

Nlebesi, however, asserted that the complainants can not withdraw at the police station, but rather have to appear before the magistrates’ courts.

“The courts of law are better positioned to withdraw cases after weighing the gravity of the offences and examining reasons of withdrawal. They also consider the degree of injuries inflicted on the complainants,” he added.