Bay Roberts stabbing: Court orders do little to prevent domestic violence, expert says

A former policeinspector with more than30 years of experience in dealing with domestic violence cases isn't surprised that a man allegedly broke his court order this week byattackinghis ex-girlfriend.

• Suspected Bay Roberts stabber broke order to stay away from alleged victim, police say

Jason King, 45, now faces attempted murder charges, and has been accused of stabbing his 33-year-old ex-girlfriend in a mall in Bay Roberts on March 29, despite having been ordered to stay away from her by the courts.

"People have to be aware that it's just a piece of paper," said former Royal Newfoundland Constabulary inspector Connie Pike.

"There's a group of people who just ignore the order totally. Or they may abide by the order for a certain period of time, but they cannot contain their anger or any type of provocation indefinitely."

Pike said court orders often fail to hold up against the strong and often violent emotions of domestic abusers.

"I think for the most part the men who commit these types of acts are very angry," said Pike.

"I think they're very insecure, and it's almost like they're blaming the person that they supposedly love, or say they love, for everything that's gone wrong in their life."

Education needed to stop domestic violence

After many years as an outspoken advocate against domestic violence, Pike said serious measures need to be made to make a difference.

"For violence as we know itgender violenceto be eliminatedwill take a great deal of effort," she said.

"It mainly will take education and awareness and that needs to begin early.Respect, healthy relationships, treating people with dignity, it all needs to start in the home, and at a very young school age."

Pike said red flags such as jealousy and control often appear early in unhealthy relationships, although they can be mistaken by the victims for love.

"I wouldn't be able to tell you the number of times whereby I heard, 'If I couldn't have her, no one could have her.' It's a very common thread in domestic violence."