KOCHI: A situation of chaos and sexual anarchy prevails in state and this is the reason for many of the crimes within families, said criminologist James Vadackumchery , who has worked with the state police for over three decades.

“In criminology , there is a term anomie. It means a situation where there is total lawlessness and chaos. This is reflected in many of the crimes within the family, where there is doubt and dissatisfaction, which lead to subsequent crime. Hence, we can say that a type of sexual anomie persists in the state,” said Vadackumchery.

He said that 70% of violent crimes happen in the privacy of homes. “Contrary to popular misconception that violent crimes happen in the open, studies have shown that most violent crimes happen within the four walls of one’s home. The number of crimes against women within families are quite high. Lack of values is the main reason for this coupled with the expectation that such a crime won’t become public,” he said.

Chief editor of church-run weekly, Light of Truth, Fr Paul Thelakkat said that it is a fact that there is spite and rivalry among people even within a family. “A life-centred on self-interest has become predominant and anyone opposing that self-interest is getting eliminated. Such violence has become extremely high in our society,” said Fr Thelakkat, who has observed conflicts among families as a social commentator.

He said that violence needs to be restrained and that self-discipline was the only solution. “Taming the animal that I am and taming the violence that I do possess is real spirituality. Material chanting of hallelujah and going to retreats is not the way. Ultimately, everyone must sacrifice their animal nature. When one fails to sacrifice this animality, what emerges is violence against wife, brother or parents,” he said.

Meanwhile, Vadackumchery said that crimes that happen as a result of sexual anarchy are often well planned. “Since, it takes time for an affair to gain momentum, a crime which happens subsequent to it also would be planned, taking time. The secrecy in which infidelity happens adds to the detail in which a crime associated with it is planned,” he said.

