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May 22, 2007
Woman of Courage
Gloria Steinem was the keynote speaker today at the Women of Courage Spring Luncheon, an annual fundraising event to benefit the Domestic Violence Crisis Center. Steinem is a genuine hero to many and it was such a thrill to be there!
Appoximately 600 were in attendance at The Stamford Marriott, eager to listen to and be in the presence of this legendary crusader... and to support the Crisis Center. Darien was well-represented at the function...here's a picture of some of us from town that attended (many of us, members of the Darien Domestic Violence Task Force).
Steinem's words today were (not surprisingly) thoughtful, intelligent, hopeful, motivating, and powerful. Her influence continues to inform, excite, and inspire and will certainly resonate for many (more) generations to come.
Be sure to check out these popular books written by Steinem...
...and if you're interested in reading about her, we've got her biography, too.
Posted by BarbaraT at May 22, 2007 09:05 PM
Comments
Very few cases of domestic violence fit the profile presented by the media, the shelter industry and treatment programs (for men).
Statistics Canada first collected data on intimate partner abuse of both men and women through its 1999 General Social Survey (GSS).
Respondents were asked 10 questions concerning abuse by their current and/or previous spouses and common-law partners during the 12-month and 5-year periods preceding the telephone interview. According to their responses, almost equal proportions of men and women (7% and 8% respectively) had been the victims of intimate partner physical and psychological abuse (18% and 19% respectively). These findings were consistent with several earlier studies which reported equal rates of abuse by women and men in intimate relationship.
The men indicated that their disclosures of abuse were often met with reactions of disbelief, surprise and skepticism from the staff of domestic abuse shelters, legal-based institutions and hospitals, as well as friends and neighbors. These reactions may cause male victims to feel even more abused.
Men felt emasculated and marginalized, and tended not to express their fears, ask for help, or even discuss details of their violent experiences. During the interviews, the abused men repeatedly expressed shame and embarrassment.
The occurrence of abuse by women against men, and its consequences, warrant attention. It is important for the victims of abuse, whether they be men or women, to know that they are not alone – that is, that such experience is not unique to their personal situation. It is also important for the perpetrators of intimate partner abuse – men or women – to recognize that violence in any form is both morally and legally wrong.
The way to change this is for those in the shelter industry to become honest about the violence inflicted by women on men and children and demand that they be treated just like violent men.
Complete report from the Government of Canada can be found in pdf form at:
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/ncfv-cnivf/familyviolence/pdfs/Intimate_Partner.pdf
Posted by: B. Brown at May 29, 2007 08:11 PM