| Women in abusive relationships is a scourge that is a | | | | of dollars is being spent on our protection. |
| plague throughout the world. | | | | The outcomes of women being in abusive |
| Before I proceed I need to comment on the widely | | | | relationships highlights the contrast, and the evidence |
| held belief that abounds today that abuse in | | | | against, the panic associated with so-called terrorism. |
| relationships is as likely to be perpetrated by women | | | | Terrorism in the home throughout the world, is |
| as it is by men. | | | | gigantic in comparison, yet barely gets a mention, and |
| My comment is - poppycock. In other words, this is | | | | peanuts is spent on dealing with it in any meaningful |
| nonsense. The figures we constantly hear are that 1 | | | | way. |
| in 3 women all around the world are in abusive | | | | Any money that is spent on the issues associated |
| relationships, and that does not include the broader | | | | with women in abusive relationships, tends to be on |
| definition of all the non physical aspects of abuse. | | | | what I would call band aiding issues. |
| It diverts our attention away from dealing with the | | | | That is to say, it is usually spent on paying for |
| issues associated with women being abused in | | | | women to live in safe houses and the expenses |
| relationships. So little has been achieved to this point | | | | associated with getting them to that point. |
| in time and this red herring gets thrown into the ring | | | | Whilst this is necessary and a good thing, it plays no |
| to distract us. | | | | part in creating any real changes that are necessary |
| In my view it is an indication of part of the problem. | | | | to make a difference. |
| It attempts to contradict the vastness of the issue | | | | Some governments have policies claiming to aim at |
| of women in abusive relationships, and demonstrates | | | | eliminating and preventing abuse in relationships, yet |
| how those who put forward this belief, are blind to | | | | have nothing more in place than indicated above. |
| the consequences. | | | | A major campaign is required as a start for |
| This is not to deny that some women are abusive in | | | | overcoming the problem of women in abusive |
| relationships, but it is not comparable. | | | | relationships. |
| In all my years as a counsellor, I saw women | | | | The community generally needs to be made aware |
| constantly who were living in absolute fear of the | | | | of the widespread nature of the problem.This needs |
| men they were living with. I have never seen one | | | | to be done by making contact with a broad cross |
| man who has claimed he is living in fear of the | | | | section of media outlets and getting them to do |
| woman he was living with. | | | | interviews with those who have the information |
| It never ceases to amaze me how the issue of | | | | available. |
| women in abusive relationships gets such little | | | | Articles about the problem of women in abusive |
| attention. | | | | relationships need to be submitted to these outlets |
| We keep hearing that 1 in 3 women experience | | | | as well. In addition talks must be organized with a |
| physical abuse in their relationships, not to mention all | | | | whole range of people such as corporate groups, |
| the other abuse that is experienced as well. | | | | schools, government departments etc., etc. |
| We hear that 3 women a day are killed by a male | | | | The issue of women being in abusive relationships is |
| partner in the US. In Australia it is 1 every 5 days. | | | | increasingly being recognized as a serious violation of |
| Being a woman in an abusive relationship, is still the | | | | basic human rights. |
| biggest threat of injury to women - more than heart | | | | Today, international organizations, such as the World |
| attacks, cancer, strokes, car accidents, muggings, and | | | | Health Organization, regard the prevention of abuse |
| rapes combined. | | | | in relationships as a high priority and there is a need |
| Statistics tell us the most dangerous place for a | | | | for urgent action. |
| woman to be is in her own home - not some dark | | | | A World Health Organization report demonstrates |
| alley, or seedy neighborhood, or a parking lot. | | | | that women being in abusive relationships is |
| Yet the warning that is regularly put forward is to be | | | | widespread and deeply ingrained, and has serious |
| wary in such places - and also of strangers. | | | | impacts on women's health and well-being. |
| In addition, today, we are bombarded by the belief | | | | According to Amnesty International, violence against |
| that we are at the mercy of terrorists and we need | | | | women in relationships is the greatest human rights |
| to be alert to the possibility of being targeted. Billions | | | | scandal of our times. |