Maseru, Dec.29 — Staying in a loveless marriage or relationship marked by cases of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) for the sake of children is not a healthy option.
This was said by Senior Inspector Teke Petje from the LMPS Child and Gender Protection Unit.
Speaking in an interview with the agency on Monday, Senior Inspector Petje indicated that exposure to violence in the home often causes long-term emotional, psychological and behavioural harm to children, contrary to the belief that remaining together protects them.
He explained that children who grow up witnessing abuse are more likely to normalise violence, suffer trauma, perform poorly at school and, in some cases, repeat the cycle of abuse in their own relationships later in life.
‘Children need a safe, stable and loving environment therefore staying in an abusive relationship does not protect them instead, it places them at greater risk,’ he said.
Senior Inspector Petje further urged victims of GBV to seek help early and make use of available support systems, including the police, social welfare offices, community leaders and non-governmental organisations that provide counselling and shelter services.
He added that the Child and Gender Protection Unit continues to handle numerous cases involving domestic violence, stressing the importance of community awareness, reporting and collective responsibility in combating GBV.
Senior Inspector Petje also appealed to families and communities to avoid pressurising victims to remain in abusive relationships for cultural or social reasons, noting that such pressure often silences victims and worsens their situation.
He reaffirmed the LMPS’s commitment to protecting women, children and other vulnerable groups, calling on the public to report GBV cases and work together to create safer homes and communities across the country.
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