Involving police in cases of domestic abuse is inappropriate because domestic violence is a private issue.The best way of dealing with domestic violence is if the couple involved settles the issue without any external interference.These are some of the findings by researchers in a recent study which looks at social barriers to the effective policing of domestic violence.The researchers‚ in a study published in the SA Crime Quarterly in June‚ found that victims’ responses to domestic violence are constrained by social norms and beliefs which view police involvement in cases of abuse as being inappropriate and shameful.The limited ability by police to help domestic violence victims has been seen by researchers as an institutional failure.But this study by Heidi Mogstad‚ Dominique Dryding and Olivia Fiorotto of perceptions towards domestic violence at Khayelitsha township in Cape Town highlighted the complexity of responding to this form of crimeThe Domestic Violence Act was passed 18 years ago to give people who are experiencing domestic violence the best possible protection that the law can‚ yet it remains pervasive and under-reported in South Africa.The act places a number of obligations on the police regarding their response to domestic violence cases‚ which include supporting complainants in finding suitable shelter or obtaining medical treatment‚ serving protection orders and removing weapons from the abuser or from the home.The researchers collected data from five focus groups and seven in-depth interviews in Khayelitsha between September 2014 and June 2015.The focus groups consisted of 40 participants and two of the focus groups consisted of men only.The researchers found that married women faced especially strong pressure to restore peace in their families without police intervention“Whereas some men suggested that using in-laws as mediators was an example of ‘culture working’‚ female participants emphasised that ‘solving the problem’ was usually done without much consideration of women’s personal opinions and well-being‚” the researchers said.One female interviewee explained: “In the white world‚ people go to therapy to find out what is really causing this problem … but in our lives‚ we have the option to sit down with the elders‚ and then they will give you advice on how to make your marriage work.”The researchers said some participants suggested that they tolerated the abuse because they did not want their children to grow up without a father.“In such situations‚ involving the police was seen as especially problematic as the women did not want to be responsible for sending their children’s father to prison.”The researchers said participants’ reluctance to involve the police was strongly influenced by the social shame‚ stigma and humiliation expected from self-identifying as victims and seeking help from police“The consequence of this is that abusers enjoy de facto impunity while victims are left isolated‚ disempowered and ashamed.”- TMG Digital..