This is from the website for White Ribbon Day: (Sorry about the spacing and shit, but cut directly)
What about violence against men?
While this campaign focuses on violence against
women, it is important to acknowledge that men
too are often the victims of violence. Many of the
victims of murder, manslaughter, and serious
physical assaults are male.
Men are much less likely than women to be
subject to violent incidents in the home and are
more likely to be assaulted in public places.
Violence against men is far more likely to be by
strangers and far less likely to involve partners or
ex-partners. Of all the violence men experience,
far less is represented by domestic violence (less
than 1 percent, versus one-third of violent
incidents against women).
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Boys and men are most at risk of physical harm, injury and death
from other boys and men, but small numbers are
subject to violence by women.
This kit focuses on the prevention of violence
against women and takes for granted that all
forms of violence are unacceptable and supports
efforts to end it.
It seems that because the unstated numbers are apparently so insignificant the plight of these men who are just as much victims of domestic violence as any female might be don't get representation by the foundation. That statement is an excuse to not represent them. I'm sorry - actually, no I'm not - that's fucken bullshit.
Domestic violence doesn't hurt one person more than any other. All are hurt. Women get angry, drunk, drugged, psychotic, whatever, just as much as men and without having a Phd I'd suggest it's merely the human physiology and psychology that bumps the scales towards men being more physical than women. Also, domestic violence isn't necessarily physical. Most of the time scars can't be seen. It seems to me we're a LONG way off from heading in the right direction to fix the issue.
A bully is a bully. No one bully is worse than any other.
Hi Mokes, I get what you're saying. Nobody should have to tolerate domestic violence. I also get that there are many more forms of violence than physical. As you said, you cannot see the scars yet there are people living in fear.
ReplyDeleteThat said, I do find the figures on domestic violence against women to be quite staggering. Home should be a safe place but it just isn't. Nobody should have to live like that.
White Ribbon Day is a chance for the many good and decent men around to take a stand and say they will not tolerate violence against women. It's a very positive thing I think for all of us and not intended to diminish violence against men in any way.
I agree, but I also think to not ACTIVELY acknowledge domestic violence against men is an injustice and hypocritical. WRD is a worthy cause, and everyone should get on board ... not sure how I would do anything different than what I am and would do if I came across it ... but violence against men is just the same as violence against women. Regardless of statistics.
ReplyDeleteWhen a campaign starts something it has to retain focus. If men feel so impassioned about dv against them then they should organise about that. The reality of dv as violence is only part of the problem too, there are many different ways of abusing an intimate partner that don't involve physical violence. I think that no campaign should cast its net too wide.
ReplyDelete