SOMEONE needs to tell Hono Mihaka that not all domestic violence victims in New Zealand look like her, and that her gender-specific language is leaving half the victims invisible. (“Former victim supporting women in the fight against domestic violence,” Times July 26).
A major study of domestic violence in New Zealand, published in the Journal of Marriage and the Family in 2005 found that women commit domestic violence as often as men and that the psychological effects are the same in both sexes, even though women suffer more physical injury on average.
This was recently confirmed again in a 32-nation study by the University of New Hampshire, which included New Zealand, and which also found that controlling behaviour is done equally by both sexes.
In fact, although men underreport more than women in crime data, sociological data from around the globe shows that women initiate domestic violence as often as men, that women use weapons more than men, that 38 per cent of injured victims are men, and that self-defence does not explain away the violence by either sex. California State University Professor Martin Fiebert summarises these studies at http://www.csulb.edu/~mfiebert/assault.htm.
When we ignore male victims, we also ignore their children, who are damaged by witnessing the violence. We cannot break this intergenerational cycle by ignoring half of it. That’s why a global coalition of experts has been formed to support a research-based, inclusive approach, and its website has solid data showing women initiate the violence as often as men, at http://www.nfvlrc.org/
Marc E Angelucci, President, Los Angeles chapter, National Coalition of Free Men http://www.ncfmla.org
Don’t ask the experts
AT LAST an answer to Auckland’s local body politics. FIX AUCKLAND.COM, a plan to change Auckland, has come up with the best solution yet.
Thousands of dollars and hours has been spent looking for a solution, but it is no surprise that we have seen very little evidence of a reform.
The wrong people have been doing the searching, all with the realisation that any real reform could mean they may lose their jobs. I have looked at this proposal and it has great merit which is worthy of our support.
Barry Wood, Howick
Wastewater rip-off
JOHN Spiller, the chairman of the Howick Community Board is misleading ratepayers over water and wastewater charges.
He still favours adding volumetric charges even though Auckland City has had volumetric charges for over four years and its water and wastewater charges are double Manukau’s.
John criticised Councillor Sharon Stewart’s role in council on this issue. He should be thanking her for saving all of us additional volumetric charges.
Keith Dimond, Howick
Change the postie
RE MAIL problems experienced by David Fowlds in June, (Times, July 26), I would like to say that we experienced similar problems with mail which we knew had been posted. One was the Visa bill plus a magazine.
When I telephoned to complain I was fobbed off and told maybe the distribution centre had changed their system.
Unlikely story as we have received the last two items for many months.
Sometimes we would see the postie deliver at 5.30pm, sometimes not at all.
Other neighbours in our street had similar problems.
I felt I was being fobbed off when I rang to complain. Since my complaints we have a new postie who is doing a brilliant job.
I felt the service was disgraceful and the explanations a cover up.
Maureen J Penney, Bucklands Beach
