Behind Closed Doors- violence SHWETAMAG | Page 4

Domestic Violence Advocate’s Interview Mr. Anubhav kumar singh Working as a domestic violence advocate is serious business. How do you qualify? Apart from possessing a degree in human services and 12 years of ded- icated experience in a domestic violence advocate role, I believe that I have the skills and knowledge of the criminal justice system that makes a person working at this position exceptionally qualified. Where personal attributes are concerned, I am a great mix of patience and perseverance, and can easily handle demanding cases to ensure that they reach fruition. What is your take on domestic violence? I believe that domestic violence is a curse. Eradicating it may be difficult, but if more people contribute, things can become somewhat easier to handle, as curbing it won’t be such a hassle. Isn’t it difficult to stay detached from victims that you are advocating a case for? How do you do it? Yes, it can become a bit emotionally challenging when representing a victim. But the training that I have received over the years has made sure that I stay as detached as possible without coming across as tactless! What is the most challenging case that you have handled up till now? I was assigned to handle a case where the woman who was always bat- tered by her husband, refused to come forward and admit that she was in an abusive relationship. Convincing her that this was the right thing to do and instilling confidence into her was the most challenging thing I’ve done. 4 5