Domestic Violence discussion (split from On being pro-life)

[greg]

(02-18-2011 05:26 PM)Naomi Wrote:  

(02-18-2011 04:57 PM)LMcC Wrote:  I know, but I don't want to ignore those men who are assaulted. After all, I believe in Biblical equality and not women completely taking over and treating men the same way we've been treated for... well, ever

Men are assaulted all the time, almost entirely by men - and it is hard for them to speak up. Yes, there are men assaulted by women. There certainly are boys sexually abused by women, as well as girls abused by women. That doesn't change the fact that overwhelmingly in our culture, men do the abusing. Recognizing both those facts (men can be assaulted by women, but it is very rare) does not mean we are completely turning the tables, or creating a matriarchy, or oppressing men. Far from it!

For the most part, as you'll see when you get into the research, we're really just holding abusers responsible for their actions. All abusers. Especially men who try to shift responsibility for their abusiveness onto their female partners, which happens way too often. Like you said yourself, there's a different dynamic going on when men abuse women in our culture. Many people (many fundamentalists!) actively support abusive men and the attitudes of entitlement that enable it. Equality is great - cultures with gender equality have lower rates of domestic violence; unfortunately we're not quite there yet.

You are wrong about the stats regarding abuse victims being usually females. Should I believe you or my lying eyes. Women are constantly abusing their boyfriends/husbands. They will even tell the male "I am going to give myself a black eye and blame it on you if you don't do thus and such"

I abhor all domestic violence, but crusading for women and acting like they are usually the victims is completely wrong. I have seriously thought about starting an outreach for abused men, services for abused women are all over the place, also something needs to be done to help abused men as it relates to child custody and legal help, all kinds of help for women, virtually nothing for men. This is for real, and men out there need to band together and stop this outrage of abuse.