Men Unite to Stand Against Violence Towards Women

Sorry your friend had that happen. I hope they caught the perp or he is now room temperature. One more thing, NEVER accept a drink from someone you don't know intimately.

 

A few questions:

1) If women are equal, why do they need men to stand up for them?

and

2) Why are we not taking a stand against all violence instead of just violence against women?

 

Fact is women are not equal in terms of physical strength to men majority speaking. Most men are a lot heavier and bigger than most women. That's just the facts of life.

That is a good question.

I think there are so many sub-groups for everything, such as organizations that focus solely on one thing at a time, like in cancer research, rather than studying all the cancers at once you have multiple sub-groups for various different types of cancers. It is probably because it is easier to think in more narrow terms than in such broad ones.

We have foundations for abused children, children with diabetes, children with autism, foundations for women who have been raped by family members, women who have been raped in general, foundations and support groups for so many other various sub-groups that I cannot even name them all.

From my experience it is not good to make things so broad and hard to focus on. So people tend to narrow things down into classes and groups if that makes sense.

 

So, in other words, female suffering is so much more important than male suffering that it's not even worth it to be compassionate towards male suffering, even if doing so would prevent violence towards women and girls...

 

And that's why there's a woman's rights and a men's rights section on this site

 

*shrug* I didn't make the website. I'd be more than happy to add a men's rights section for you to prance around in if I could.

 

I do enjoy, 'prancing around,' from time to time

 

Haha, omg that made me laugh so hard for some reason.

Thanks ryobi, we probably won't agree on much but I always appreciate people who make me laugh that hard. xD

And I really do mean that in the most totes serious way yo. =)

 

You can see some examples of why men are getting involved in the quotes in post #192, and really there are examples all through the thread.

For me, it's because every day I read of a woman being murdered from domestic violence and it breaks my heart. And because domestic violence is predominately violence being perpetrated on women. There are cases all through the thread of women being murdered from domestic violence. And here, another tragedy:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-05-...tecting-pregnant-daughter-court-hears/5450194

 

If only it were as easy or likely as to 'carry a gun and shoot them dead'. A woman cannot be guarded 100% of the time. Or vigilant 100% of the time. Plus the rapist picks the moment and the rapist also likely to come up from behind an unsuspecting woman. Rapists break into homes and rape women who were asleep, they come up from behind a woman carrying shopping to her car. A person that rapes is a brutal and aggressive person - capable of super-brutal and over-aggressive strength. Confronting this kind of horrific abuse isn't as easy as carrying a gun. And particularly as here in Australia we do NOT carry guns. Plus a woman would have to have a gun at the ready in every circumstance which is not practical or possible.

 

Acknowledging the suffering of males will make them less likely to be violent to women and girls? Sounds like a cop-out to me. Just when does TAKING RESPONSIBILITY for one's own conduct and DOING THE RIGHT THING kick in? Where does being a decent, non-violent person from the strength of one's own character come into it? And as I said before, for anyone feeling a lot of suffering - there is help available with therapy.

Claiming men commit violence because their suffering isn't seen as important as women's I think a major cop-out.

Just when does 'personal responsibility' kick in? Just when does 'being in control of one's own self' and knowing right from wrong in terms of not being violent towards others kick in?

People suffer the world over and the great many do not perpetrate violence on others.

 

Good God...Isn't there anything other than wringing your hands that you think you can do to protect yourself? Choose wisely where you live. Stay away from high crime areas if you can. If you simply can't then buy some pepper spray, get a gun, learn some self-defense moves, don't make it a habit of being alone on the streets, especially at night, be aware of your surroundings etc., etc. Don't accept drinks from strangers, especially male strangers. Oh yeah, learn how to handle your gun. Go to a reputable dealer buy one that fits you, take lessons in how to use it. Same with the pepper spray. (They do let you carry that don't they?)

There are laws against rape, the typical man is not a rapist and would never think of doing such a thing to a woman. You don't need to protect yourself against men in general, just the criminal predators, a miniscule minority that, because of their evil deeds, make a huge impact on society as a whole. These sub-humans are cowards who mainly prey on those who appear weak or scared. Being properly prepared will also make you more self assured in sketchy situations and you won't be the first choice as a target.

 

I raise issues I believe are pertinent and you say I'm 'wringing my hands'? Well, 'Good God', to you too, I guess.

It is illegal in Australia to carry a gun and illegal to carry pepper spray.

 

Men are victims of emotional and physical violence as well as women. It does no lead to any solutions if we differentiate between women and men and backhandedly treat women like they are lesser such that they need a man's help. It feeds the same mentality that enables the violence is the first place--women are subservient and need men. Violence is violence.

There are likewise cases of men being murdered in domestic violence disputes. Do those cases not break your heart as much? If not, you might want to consider why that might be.

 

Yes, I did say you were wringing your hands because your post stated that women can't be guarded or vigilant 100% of the time, that the rapist picks an unguarded moment to strike a woman, that a rapist may be very strong, etc. While all of that is true, it does not preclude a woman from adopting and practicing defensive techniques as well as being aware of her surroundings.

I am trying to help because when a woman is alone say in a dark parking lot, there will be no cop there to guard her and, in your case, your country has seen fit to completely disarm you. Any rapist will know he will not face a gun or even pepper spray. If you want to blame men, then blame your lawmakers that saw fit to take away your most potent defenses.

 

Isn't that what the feminist idea of, 'rape culture,' is all about, just reverse the sexes???

 

I dont know, how you read in my statement the opposite, but however its fine with me. So, sorry from my side for overlooking, that you were refering to another user with your statement about death penalty.

You can of course advocate against rape, but especially in the case you highlighted I dont understand what result you want to achieve? Psychopathic serial killers will not be very impressed if anyone advocates against rape.

 

Obsessive fanatics are blind to anything that doesn`t fit their agenda. Domestic violence is obviously dysfunctionality. I believe that some people have problems of their own that prevent them from even contemplating anything outside of a "bash the enemy" agenda. Irrespective of sex, anyone with this problem should NOT be in a relationship. They shouldn`t be in a position where they can destroy someone else`s life.

 

I repeat:

I am amazed that against the backdrop of the Police Commissioner, the police force and the Mayor advocating against violence towards women, that some still have their nose out of joint and continue trying to make the positive act of advocating against violence towards women as something 'bad' and negative. Talk about doing something in a bad spirit.

Every other day I read of a woman who is a victim of domestic violence and who is later murdered by her abuser.

Advocating to help stop violence against women is a positive, timely step.

That some want to turn a positive movement into something to tear down and be nasty about, just goes to show the difference between those doing 'good' and those doing other than good.

I stand with the Police Commissioner, the police force and the Mayor. And have nothing but praise and respect for their advocating against violence towards women. Men of clout that do good in the world. Unlike some others with their long, big bag of negativity they drag around.

 

Those complaining about this initiative to stop violence against women need to go take it up with those working in the frontline of domestic violence, those who witness and work with domestic violence every day. Contact the police force who marched to stop violence against women... complain to them. Or go complain to the Police Commissioner who is the Ambassador for White Ribbon, the initiative to stop violence against women.

Tearing down a positive initiative is telling on those who try to knock it down.

 

I am not going to try to convince you of the very particular and specific problems that relate to violence against women. But the statistics are resounding and tragic. This is a Women's Rights section and I am highlighting an issue that is very specific to women. The statistics for domestic violence against women are staggering.

It's NOT a matter of 'women like they are lesser that they need a man's help' but rather of men standing up to rally and caution other men against committing violence against women. White Ribbon is a male initiative, these men take a pledge they will not be violent towards women and advocate against others committing violence against women.

This is one cause. And there are thousands of causes in the world. There is a cause for everything under the sun. So you don't like this cause. Fine. Go find one you like and identify with.

Or come back and knock this one as much as you like.

But this cause is led by the Police Commissioner and the police force and all the other institutions that advocate that violence against women must stop. I walk with them. You can walk wherever you like.

 

And this well worth repeating again:

 

Good because perpetuating that women need men's help surely is not a liberating attitude for women. Yes this is a women's rights forum, but your message is mixed. You can 'walk with them" all you want, but I actually volunteer to help them by sheltering them and providing transitional housing for "them" along with men and children who are also victims of violence with whom you do not seemingly "walk".

 

Good for you volunteering to help by sheltering them and providing transitional housing. One component. Then there's the police who intervene in domestic violence cases and who also happen to march to stop violence against women. And all the men involved in White Ribbon. People approaching the issue from many angles. Good for you on your angle. And so it goes.

Raising the fact that men have set up an initiative to stop violence against women you interpret as perpetuating that women need mens help. That's your spin and your invention.

For domestic violence to end everyone must step up. That men have formed a group to advocate against it, that is a positive thing. But you interpret it how you like - claiming it perpetuates that women need mens help. That's dumb. If those particular men weren't committing domestic violence on women in the first place... there would be no issue or question of women 'needing' ANY help whatsoever.

Women are HELPED by not having men perpetrate violence on them. There, that is the REAL help.

 

I haven`t seen anyone complain about stopping violence against women. I have seen people point out the futility of a narrow minded, antagonistic approach to the whole DV issue.