Mary Cleery (founder of AMEN) writes to the Irish Examiner regarding the
widely publicised assaults against two Eastenders stars (both men) who were
physically assaulted by their female partners.
Phil
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http://www.amen.ie/Papers/15241.htm
Irish Examiner, 9th November, 2005
EastEnders stars strike a blow for male victims
LETTERS
THERE has been considerable publicity about the assaults on two EastEnders
stars by their female partners.
Much of the coverage has been of the tabloid variety in that it has tended
to make a joke of the victims because they play the roles of 'tough guys' in
the TV series.
This type of coverage feeds into the stereoptypical attitude that male
victims of domestic abuse are a joke while female victims are a tragedy.
However, the extensive coverage given to this story may be of benefit to
male victims in the long term as it may encourage more of them to speak out.
There has always been a taboo preventing male victims from speaking out and
seeking help. This is borne out by recent research carried out by the
National Crime Council which found that while one in three female victims of
domestic violence report to gardaĆ*, only one in 20 male victims does so.
Following the recent publicity, the Amen helpline has received numerous
calls from men who mentioned the coverage, some saying it encouraged them to
lift the phone and seek help in dealing with their own problems.
Mary T Cleary
Amen
Navan
Co Meath.
Society does not have the right to discriminate against
victims of domestic violence because of their gender.
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