Would you support this type of organization?

Question

I found this non-profit organization on Myspace called

(Wo)men Speak Out. It was founded by a husband and wife who are active in speaking out against violence against everyone...men, women and children. They seem to focus mostly on giving lectures (especially on college campuses) though. I think this organization is great...but what if there was something similar...just on a grander scale?

I've always wanted to start my own non-profit dealing with the issue of physical and sexual violence. Who says it just has to focus on just women, just men, or just children? If we really want to tackle this issue, we have to look at it from all angles.

Now, I'll have a lot of leg work to do before I get anything up and running. Would people here support such an organization?

If so, what types of reforms would you like to see? I'm especially interested in what those wanting change concerning how male victims of DV/rape are treated have to say.

Thanks all.

Answer 1

I have to commend you for posting a question of true merit and in my view a great question!!!

This coming from a lady is indeed wonderful.

A married couple practising humanity and dealing with social issues is a dream come true.

My respect and regards for you my dear and god bless!!!

Answer 2

most programs ALREADY help both men and women.  usually, though, they are either specific to domestic violence or to rape.

certainly, there are men abused in relationships. however, the guys on Y/A are lying about stats.  IT IS NOT 50-50. check world health organization report 2002 or 2003. they mention that some western countries have found stats of 50-50 - that is common conflict violence (hitting, throwing things) NOT BATTERING.  overwhelmingly, men batter. emergency room stats testify to this. the true incidence is 85-15 -- I am NOT denying men as victim, but lies dont help the problem nor does thier scapegoating (ex.  - poster wants to look at mom's role in serial killers )

the men on here attack VAWA and women's services instead of tyring to cooperate with them and work with them.

(wonder why? these guys have problably had restraining orders and DV charges agst them)

want an example? a guy in LA sued 9 of 10 DV shelters b/c they couldnt provide him with a bed. they could give him counseling and referrals.  the 10th shelter, the one he DIDNT call could give him a bed. (these shelters turn women away by the thousands b/c there arent enough beds.)

They ATTACK.  they dont work with women in coordinating efforts.

Anyway - most non-profits help men when it comes to abuse and rape  - look at RAINN, Legal Momentum, etc..... I dont know, do a search. Dont listen to the guys on Y/A - according to them, noone helps male victims. -THats a lie.

Bottom line - Yes, get both genders help - but do it with cooperation and factual evidence. There already are structures in place (shelters, nonprofits) - stop knocking them down & start building them up

Answer 3

Depends. If it is blatantly focused on women's ultra rights and just give lip's service to men’s rights yeah what ever.

      But if it is real that would be cool.

      

  I would like to see the federal government spend as much money on and reach out to male victims of domestic violence like they did with female victims when those programs first started.

            

I would like to see accountability in DV programs.

  The majority of those who use those services are victims but some women go there and pretend abuse to get an advantage during divorce. That loophole needs to be closed (no point in contesting it when NOW lawyers already written several books describing the tactic).

          

I would like an end to the OMG my husband was abusive so I killed him (doesn’t even have to be physical and her life doesn’t even have to be in danger. All she has to be is "tired" of him and she can kill him in ultra cold blooded murder).  I am sorry but murder is wrong. We pay tax dollars to various services so it doesn’t happen but the "excuse" is still valid in court and the real victim can’t defend himself from 6 feet under.

    

I would like to see child support tied to visitation rights.

        The less the non custodial parent see's the child the less in child support paid out.

      

I would like to see mother's who interfere with visitation go to jail. Even for a week per offence it would still be some semblance of justice.

      

I would like to see paternity fraud treated like a real crime.

  With huge fines + jail time + repayment back to the defrauded party. The mother should have to pay every cent back + interest and adjustment for inflation/deflation.

      

I would like to see an end to sexism on college. Duke was a perfect example. Anyone who has been to college knows what I am talking about. Especially if you made the mistake on taking a "humanities" course.

      

I would like to see an end to alimony and 50/50 property division. You get what you earn. Only thing that should be split 50/50 is jointly owned property during a divorce.

      

I would like to see an end to affirmative action. Best person should get the job regardless of race or gender.

        

I would like to see the end of this equal outcome movement garbage. You get what you earn. You work 20 hours a week you should be paid for 20 hours not what someone else (just because of different gender) worked, 40 hours+ over time.

      

I would like to see women required to fill out selective service registration in order to qualify for federal student aid.

      Either make it equal or allot more money for male college students in recognition of the dangerous responsibility the country forces upon them.

      

I would like to see personnel responsibility equaled out. A man and a woman should have the same responsibilities or level of.

I demand the government to spend more money on male contraceptive. The technology has been around for over a decade or more but feminists have stalled it along with other groups to maintain women's monopoly on reproductive rights. I demand my rights to count and I demand to be treated like a human being.

Answer 4

Sounds great.  I'm curious to know why you aren't more interested in joining forces with a group that is already working towards the same goal?  A lot of times when a movement takes off, splinter groups work against each other and hurt the movement from the inside.

Answer 5

Violence is already illegal, so it's not the law itself that needs to change.

If you really want to reduce violence, start by STUDYING violence. That is, undrstand its causes, and how they can be ameliorated.

As far as DV goes, we know that it is usually learned at home. (I remembr, long ago, seeing a thing about women in prison for killing their abusive husbands. One was asked why she stayed so long; she said "I thought, as long as he's not wailing on the children, I could take it. ... Now my son beats up his wife; I wish I'd known then....")

Violence prevntation programs have pretty good track records in teaching people ways of dealing with conflict non-violently.

Getting every child from a violent home into therapy, so they're less likely to eithr BE violent themselves, or marry abusers, is crucial.

If you're especially interestd in DV toward males, look into the history of DV toward females. Until a very few decades ago, it was NOT taken seriously by law enforcement. Gtting law enforcement, and the public at large to realize is exists and is NOT funny, would be an important step.

For victims, shame is often a huge obstacle -- a big problem for male victims. But then, when someone ovrcomes THAT, and is not treated seriously, that's even more devastating. And it discourags victims from coming forward.

So, start by educating yourself. Researchers hav been and continue to learn a LOT about the topic. (Pay special attention to any diffrnces betwen M-to-F and F-to-M -- and DV among g**s, for that matter.)

Then figure out how to either publicize the phenomenon, or pressure the legal system.

Instead of starting your own, why not first see what already exists, and work with them. Then, IF thy aren't doing exactly what you're interestd in doing, at least you'll have the experience to do it well.

(Apologies for my still-flakey 'e' key; sometimes it works, sometimes it just refuss.)

Answer 6

That's the way it should be, i think standing shoulder to shoulder on these issues would be a lot more productive and realistic than one gender blaming the other and trying to brush their own contributions under the carpet.

The role that abusive mothers play in the lives of serial killers/rapists is something that needs to be acknowledged.

Answer 7

Sounds interesting. And very ambitious. Do you have a link to the MySpace page?

Answer 8

I don't know who wouldn't support an organization like that.

Answer 9

I would, I volunteer at an abused children's shelter & have met some of the mothers there. Domestic violence is a real problem that tends to get swept under the rug too many times. Violence against ANYONE is wrong & organizations like this do a good job of trying to eliminate it, I'd support it.

Answer 10

I think it's a great idea, and I agree that tackling the problem from all angles may help lead to a better understanding of DV and sexual violence.

Regarding male victims of sexual and Domestic violence, I think the most important message to get out there is that men are not "less of a man" if they are victims. I think this is the current perception, and it is this false perception needs to be changed, so that men can come forward and report and discuss what has happened to them.

EDIT-In response to the poster who said "Feminists have been stalling the male contraceptive for years..." Care to back that up? ANY "evidence" you could find for this one would be good for a laugh.

Answer 11

If you're wanting to start something similar to what you found on Myspace, why not query the already-existing organizations that focus on violence against males for opinions ~

what I know for myself as well as the women I counseled was that they typically felt less threatened by other women.  They wouldn't necessarily warm up to a male talking to them about the violence they suffered at the hands of the male(s) who "loved them."  This is why and when specialization is extremely effective.  Trust has to be established first.

Why fix something that's not broken?

Answer 12

Sounds like a wonderful idea-good luck-all of us-men women and children-need a safe space. I liked that idea that they had for run-aways where different organizations (who had been previously checked out) would put a sticker on their door and let teens know they were a safe place. Maybe we could do the same for all types of families?