Defending attacker was unfair to victim (From York Press)

Defending attacker was unfair to victim

11:08am Saturday 8th September 2012 in Letters By Readers' letters

IN REFERENCE to the article published in The Press, September 5, headlined “Domestic abuse man acted out of character”, I want to express my disappointment and dismay in the editorial decision, that, quite frankly, undermined the suffering of the victim and the justice that she so bravely fought for.

The 24-year-old woman from York, who was subjected to a brutal attack by her ex-partner, Bradley Scott Want, in April, has been left with serious physical and emotional scars that will be with her forever.

Not only has she endured the unprovoked attack itself and the corrective surgery that is still required for her severely damaged nose, she has also had to cope during a very traumatic five months while the case was investigated by North Yorkshire Police and concluded at court last week when Want, having pleaded guilty to the attack, received an 18-month prison sentence.

Her courage throughout has been testament to her strength of character. This was admirably demonstrated following sentencing when she highlighted her own terrible experience in this newspaper. She urged other victims of domestic abuse not to suffer in silence, but instead to seek the expert help and support that is readily available from the police and other agencies.

It simply beggars belief that the victim has gone through all this and then had to suffer the added distress of reading the follow-up story that attempted to defend her convicted attacker.

Want admitted his guilt and has shown not a hint of remorse. He deserved no right of reply or to be given a platform to be defended once justice had been done.

Tim Madgwick, Temporary Chief Constable, North Yorkshire Police.

 

I HAVE read your reports about the young woman who was assaulted by her ex-partner and have to say that as a woman who was in an abusive relationship myself, many years ago now, I think that she is amazingly brave to speak out.

Today, I have read the account from the young man’s family where they say he acted out of character. This may be the case; however, it does not in any way excuse his behaviour and nor should it.

If he was such a loving father he would never have done that to the mother of his child. Also, just because that side of him has not been shown to his mother or brother does not mean that it is out of character.

Abusers do not let people see that side of them, they keep it contained. So the person being abused feels they deserve it because they cause it – “He’s not like that to anyone else, it must be me”. That is how they want their victims to feel.

It is a shame that the attacker only received an 18-month sentence. Surely anger management is in order in this case, especially as he will need to be in touch with the young woman in order to gain access to their child.

Our courts have a lot to learn. My children and I had to move away for safety. Might she now have to do the same?

Name and address supplied.