Transcript
TODAGIA KELOLA: There is some violence in the home but when she comes to the office she just doesn't tell us, nor does she bring her problems. What I know of her background is that she was brought up in a very disciplined family where she's been taught to solve her own problems. That's why she doesn't want to bother others with her personal problems; she comes to work, gives 100 percent and then she goes home.
DOMINIC GODFREY: But given that she was living in a compound surrounded by neighbours who are other colleagues from the Post Courier, there are these allegations that the quarrels that were happening within the apartment, purportedly with the husband, that these were violent and audible within the neighbourhood and therefore should have been heard by her colleagues and therefore should have been reported.
TK: My staff have done as much as they can now. Those who are complaining, they also knew that issue - our former editor, he was the editor at the time - there were instances when the late business editor ran away from her home to other staff, complaints are laid. He's aware of it. Now there were instances where staff took Rosalyn to the police station. One time she was taken by one of my staff, Gorothy Kenneth, taken to a safe house but when she went home she found at that Rosalyn was back at the house and when she asked Rosalyn, Rosalyn told her 'I had to call my husband to come because I spoke with him on the phone and things are back to normal,' so she goes back again. I can honestly tell you that there were instances when police went into the compound, reported by our staff. But the survivor herself, her death has clearly highlighted certain things, maybe the GBV* law, should be looked at because it's the survivors who are going back, who are not really speaking out.
DG: So as editor-in-chief, as Rosalyn's boss, as a friend and colleague, you feel that your conscience is clear and that you have done the best by her to have ensured that, to the best of your knowledge…
TK: My conscience is very clear. Now I'm pretty certain that what our former editor stated, he was aware of the situation. He was aware of instances of when staff at our compound, when Rosalyn went to seek assistance, they took her to the police station, there were complaints laid. He is fully aware that it was Rosalyn who goes back again.
DG: When I spoke to Alex Rheeney a few days ago, he mentioned that there were three women he knew of who are current employees of the Post Courier who are also living in violent relationships. What different things do you think the paper can do to help these women?
TK: Look, the death of Rosalyn has just now highlighted something and that's for us to fully put our brains together to come up with a campaign. Go to that GBV Act, have a look at it. Maybe there should be something that automatically stops the violent husband from taking her back? In many cases it's the survivor who goes back again because of so many factors.
DG: And Peter O'Neill has come out, very firmly, very strongly against these men that commit these crimes against partners, their wives and so on. Perhaps it is a time for him to champion looking at the GBV Act?
TK: That's definitely what the Post Courier will be doing. I've met with my management and I've told them this is where we should look. Rosalyn has highlighted a very very important issue.
*The GBV Act refers to gender based violence and the act currently places the onus on the victim to make a complaint with the police.
