Get this in terms of the South of Ireland: ‘Among the 62,275 disclosures of domestic violence and abuse recorded last year were 1,522 disclosures of abuse during pregnancy or post-partum, 1,321 threats by abusers to kill women, children, family members or to self-harm, and 381 disclosures of rape.’
There are many crimes that I find vomit-inducing, but domestic violence must rank near the top. This is based on the Trump philosophy. Not that Trump is on record of having abused anyone, but his ‘might is right’ as displayed in the capture of the Venezuelan president and his wife. The US was powerful enough to do it, so it went ahead and did it. Ditto Israel and Palestine – the people of Gaza are in no condition to fight back, so Israel has just kept sending missiles by the dozen, killing at will. The bully mocks the brave, as Francie Brolly sang.
In a domestic setting, there’s something uniquely nasty and cowardly. Presumably the couple at one stage expressed their affection for each other. Now instead of lavishing concern. on his partner, the bully abuses her. Sexually, yes, but the figures seem to indicate that most domestic violence is just that – the big man punching and kicking and pouring abuse on the small woman. No matter how you dress it up, that’s what it comes down to – I don’t like what you’ve done or how you look, so I’m expressing my distaste for you by thumping you until I’m tired and you’re bruised and bleeding.
And yet we have pop songs that forever list the undying love of the suitor. The picture of a man. and woman living together is idyllic, true love will conquer all.
For the. most part I don’t believe in an eye for an eye, but in this case I’d be tempted to make an exception. Take the bully who beats the weaker woman and subject him to an equally painful being in public, so that his shame is totally exposed to the public gaze.What other course would match the brutality and cowardice of the crime?
You’re doing a bit of a John Burrows here Jude.
In his letter to the Honours Forfeiture Committee he wrote “it is important that we send a strong message that sexual abuse against women and girls will no be tolerated” – and rightly so. But what of sexual violence against men and boys?
I understand that the majority of domestic violence targets women, and I share your disgust, but there are many men who suffer similar violence and that shouldn’t be forgotten.