At least one reformed domestic abuser is “shocked and appalled” after a man was released with only a $750 fine when he pleaded guilty yesterday to causing grievous bodily harm to his wife.

And both the Women's Resource Centre and the Physical Abuse Centre confirm they have been extremely busy dealing with domestic violence since Hurricane Fabian, with the hurricane considered a factor in the increase.

Michael George Demoura, 40, pleaded guilty in Magistrates' Court to charges of using threatening words to his wife and causing her grievous bodily harm.

However he received the slap on the wrist from Acting Magistrate Carlisle Greaves when Crown counsel Koshea Scott could not produce medical evidence of the woman's injuries. Ms Scott said on September 10 this year, Mrs. Demoura returned to the couple's Paget home to find her husband “under the influence”.

An argument ensued that resulted in Demoura holding a section of a curtain pole to his wife's head and threatening to slit her throat. Grabbing her by her throat, he then pinned her up against the wall.

When Mrs. Demoura fought back with a candlestick, he punched her in the face hard enough to rupture a blood vessel in her cheek.

However when Mr. Greaves asked for medical evidence, Ms Scott said the medical report had not come back to the DPP office yet.

Unable to confirm that the injury satisfied the conditions for grievous bodily harm, Mr. Greaves could not assume a greater injury than a beating.

That, in combination with the fact that this was Demoura's first offence, meant it did not merit a custodial sentence. Demoura left the courtroom fined $250 for threatening his wife, and $500 for beating her.

“We advise women that when they go to the Police they should ensure that if there is evidence, take photos, ask the crime officers photo injuries,” said Women's Resource Centre director Penny Dill.

“Go to your own doctor or to the hospital and get an exam, get a copy and bring the report to court. It's just extra backup. Report the violence to the Police and get a protection order.”

Circumstances similar to this case could be referred to the anonymous Abuse-Free programme at the Physical Abuse Centre, Ms Dill continued. “I think we have to use all avenues to help parties reduce violence.”

Rosana Vickers of the Physical Abuse Centre said she received a call right after the noon radio news today from a man who had actually completed the Abuse-Free programme and was horrified by the story. “He was very upset,” she said.

Ms Vickers is the certified group facilitator for the Abuse-Free programme. The programme, a sort of Alcoholics Anonymous for domestic abusers, focuses on those who commit emotional or physical abuse and want to help themselves.

Sometimes those going through the programme are walk-ins, and sometimes they are referred to the programme by the courts. The programme generally runs for 26 weeks, although there are participants who want to stay in it for longer in order to help others going through the programme.

“We are geared towards men and women, but most that walk through the door are men.”

The Physical Abuse Centre is a private organisation so there is a fee for the programme.

However it is on a sliding scale, meaning that depending on a person's financial situation they may have to pay as much as $35 or as little as $5 per week.

Ms Vickers and Ms Dill confirmed that both centres have been extremely busy in the wake of Hurricane Fabian - more so than they usually are at this time of year.

“Our counsellors have been working flat out,” said Ms Dill.

“People are under a lot of stress due to the hurricane - we haven't totalled the numbers, but it is playing a factor. We see the stress in our clients since the hurricane and it is affecting relationships.”

Ms Vickers, who is also the community education co-coordinator for the Physical Abuse Centre, added: “There may be stress but everyone is accountable for their own actions. “Perhaps it's about stress but it's also about choices. Each person chooses to abuse or not to abuse.”

People can also call the 24-hour live Physical Abuse Centre hotline on 297-8278, said Ms Vickers. Callers do not get a recording and the hotline is completely confidential 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.