As the embarrassing spectacle subsides after the Chief Executive of Refuge challenged the Home Secretary live on camera after she accused her of PR and spin about the Together we can end violence against women and girls campaign, it has to be remembered how determined the Home Office are in ignoring the plight of male victims of domestic violence.
Despite all of the BBC coverage (link) and the British Crime Survey figures showing two in five victims are male (link), the Government just simply refuses to accept it.
If they really did believe in equality then the campaign would also be about ending violence against boys and men. All of the wording is just aimed at men and boys as perpetrators.
Whilst much of the coverage just swallowed the 'only the women are victims line' some of the messages are getting through. Some may have been missed (grateful for any further examples of challenge) but some challenges include:-
Andrew Castle on GMTV repeatedly asked the Home Secretary (about 7.15am) 'what about men' and she just flustered and refused to give an answer.
Channel 4 ran a landmark report which is available for viewing (link) which compared the figures in reported crime (85% women/15% men to the anonymous British Crime Survey 64% women/36% men). The Government incredulously said they had no plans for a similar campaign for men which Channel 4 audibly scoffed at.
There may be others but a year ago there would have been none.
If there is any bias, complain, especially if it is on the BBC because they have produced so much coverage they cannot deny it.
People can also reply to the Government consultation.
The battle for full recognition continues but at some stage the breakthrough has to be made.
Coverage round-up (BBC, Press Association, Telegraph, The Times, Telegraph, Mail)
I would encourage people to look at the Consultation. Although the coverage has been about DV and it is vital that this is reponded to in the way suggested. The consultation includes a range of issues that should be responded to by interested individuals and groups. http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/documents/cons-2009-vaw/
Posted by: Nigel | Tuesday, 10 March 2009 at 09:39
The Channel 4 report is very clear and points out the rather obvious sexism of the Home Secretary. A success in California is perhaps the first where the nonsense of claiming to support equality while simply ignoring a minority has hit a legal buffer.
http://mensnewsdaily.com/glennsacks/2008/10/14/victory-ca-appellate-court-says-excluding-men-from-domestic-violence-programs-is-unconstitutional/
Posted by: Nigel | Tuesday, 10 March 2009 at 22:45