Editorial: Why not oppose all family violence?

Mark Dawson, Editor of Wanganui Chronicle

Another White Ribbon Day last Friday, and another good crowd supporting the cause of ending domestic violence against women.

It is an enterprise few would argue against, but I had got an impression that the White Ribbon campaign was opposing all domestic violence and abuse.

However, a quick check revealed that it was, in fact, gender specific ... which begs the question why not also stand against women's violence and abuse of their male partners.

Of course, one is stepping outside the parameters of the politically correct when one talks about women abusing their menfolk but it does happen and, in many cases, may be inextricably bound up in ongoing domestic conflict.

The statistics tell us that family violence is much more likely to be male against female, and probably by a pretty wide margin. But statistics are based on what is reported through official channels - they do not necessarily tell the story of real life.

Men are more inclined to shrug off a slap in the face - or even react violently - than go to the police and report it. And, of course, there is always the justifying perspective that they were asking for it. So it seems the issue inevitably falls into the too-hard basket.

Feminism has, over a number of decades, brought great empowerment to women, and that is a good thing. Look back 60 to 70 years and it is a seismic shift in the balance of power between the sexes. But that empowerment may have a downside.

We have seen a rise in violent cime committed by women; we have seen mobile phone videos of vicious brawls among schoolgirls; we have seen security camera footage of young women taking part in ram raids on dairies.

We have learned to take the good with the bad.

I wish the White Ribbon campaigners well. Personally, I would rather join a march against all family violence.