Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Great letter from National Coalition for Men

This well written lettter has been sent to leaders of the USA, Canada, New Zealand, Australia,Ireland and England.

RE: Services for male victims of female perpetrated domestic violence


Dear President Obama,

Science has long ago abandoned the notions that often included erroneous principles like there are four elements, the earth is flat, the earth is the center of the universe and the sun revolves around the earth. Today we imagine a more rounded and comprehensive grasp of civilization using scientific methods and data which prove once held beliefs and myths as being false. We learned that evidence based realities are better than fanciful mythologies; or have we?
Unfortunately, in certain areas we still hold fast to out dated myths and legends, for example, ideologically driven, wrongful, and harmful beliefs about domestic violence, especially that only women are victims of domestic violence and men are not deserving of equality of support services.

Science confirms gender symmetry with domestic violence victims regardless of gender, including studies from the United States Center for Disease Control, the United Kingdom’s British Crime Survey and Statistics Canada.
Additionally, over 270 academic studies from the western world universities and research agencies clearly establish that men and women equally experience domestic violence at similar degrees of seriousness.i There is no reliable evidence based data to the contrary.

Regardless of the science and facts, governments support the myth that men are perpetrators and women victims. The belief is codified through programs designed by women, for women, and administered through women, legislation like the Violence Against Women Act (USA) and resulting Office on Violence Against Women, Status of Women Canada (SOW Canada), Domestic Violence Act 1995 and associated The Ministry of Women's Affairs (New Zealand) and Women’s Aid in the UK.

Last year President Obama directed;
“The public must be able to trust the science and scientific process informing public policy decisions. Political officials should not suppress or alter scientific or technological findings and conclusions… If developed and used by the… government it should ordinarily be made available to the public. To the extent permitted by law, there should be transparency in the preparation, identification, and use of scientific and technological information in policy making,”
WE ASK as gender symmetry in domestic violence is proven to exist; where are the shelters and services for male victims of female abuse?

WE ASK if your administration relies on scientific fact and evidence based information from which to establish international trade policies, home security policies and other related legislation, policies, procedures and programs then how is it that no funds have been appropriately provided for direct support and shelter services, specifically, for male victims of female perpetrated domestic violence, equally to what is provided for female victims of domestic violence?

WE ASK that you facilitate the establishment with sufficient funds ministries, departments, or commissions for men, as applicable.

WE ASK that you ensure government domestic violence policies, procedures, and programs provide equally for all persons adversely impacted regardless of gender, race, religion, color or other diversities.

We no longer believe there are only four elements or the earth is flat; it is time we replace domestic violence fiction with fact. All victims are deserving of support services and facilities.

An international reply to all concerned is graciously requested

http://www.familyofmen.ca/pgm-download_media.php?name=100317_ltr_to_Obama-2.pdf

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