Online lecture tries to minimise domestic violence incidents in Jordan

AMMAN — Health experts and activists called on people to be more empathetic and patient by adjusting to the current lockdown situation to minimise domestic violence incidents in Jordan.

The calls were made during a recent online lecture that was organised by Solidarity Is Global Institute (SIGI) titled “Domestic Violence during Coronavirus Times”.

Family Affairs Consultant Abeer Bani Taha, who works in Irbid, said she had to deal with several domestic violence incidents during the COVID-19 lockdown that was announced by the government on March 21.

“It is clear that people are becoming more and more pressured during the lockdown and I had to deal with many cases, including a case of a couple married for over 21 years,” Bani Taha said.

She added that the husband became verbally violent and “used insulting and demeaning language against his wife and he had to leave the house”.

“I believe they both have poor communication skills that ended up in the separation because the husband used insulting words and the wife was surprised by the insulting words used by her husband,” Bani Taha explained.

That is why, Bani Taha added, couples need to work on their communication skills and address all their problems on the spot so that they do not pile up and lead to more problems”.

“People need to be more patient with each other and strengthen their communication so that they understand each other more,” she added.

SIGI President Inam Asha said during the lecture that “this is a good time for family bonding, revising relationships and spending more time with each other”.

“Some people do not know how to deal with the current sudden crisis and end up committing violent acts on their partners,” Asha said.

Meanwhile, Psychiatrist Laith Abbadi pointed out that there are “gradual steps that violent individuals could practice to prevent themselves from behaving violently towards others”.

“These individuals could practice training themselves on small incidents that drive them to become angry and to train themselves to hold back on becoming violent,” Abbadi explained.

He added that another option is for people “who know they are violent and cannot control themselves, can seek therapy and help”.

“People also could release tension by sleeping well, eating well, exercising, yoga and breathing techniques. They can also resort to readings religious and literature material,” according to Abbadi.

SIGI Executive Director Asma Khader also spoke during the lecture stressing the need to “say no to violence regardless of the reasons”.

“We should not allow any justifications to accept violence. On the contrary, it should be totally rejected and we need to spread awareness about the consequences that could affect the entire family,” Khader stressed.

Khader added that “instead we need to understand the reasons behind violent incidents and help individuals in need and that is why we established a programme at SIGI called ‘Reconciliation’, to help follow up on domestic violence cases and benefit both parties involved”.