I've just seen yet another Commonwealth Bank advertisement which shows a man being hit by a woman.

If I recall correctly it's not the first advertisement they have produced which appeared to promote the idea that there is something funny about women hitting men.

The plight of men suffering from domestic violence is difficult enough without major corporate players promoting the idea that violence against men is OK. It is already very difficult to get the professionals who should care to pay attention when the victim is male and the perpetrator is female without continued reinforcement of the idea that such violence is somehow acceptable.

I almost wish I still had an account with them so I could make a point of closing it.

R0bert

Have you told the Bank that you find their Advertisement offensive?

I am somewhat gagged from speaking my mind on the matter as I have one son going through divorce, & that today can be a very nasty psychological experience for any man when his X leaves, because she is not happy, then goes on and takes on a lover. Today’s “legal beagles,” take the woman’s side no matter how wrong she is in her behaviour.

I do have an account with the Commonwealth. Several, in fact. I shall submit a letter of complaint today.

With the hysterical "White Ribbon Campaign" starting again, it's timely to point out to the bank and others that most violence in the home is perpetrated by women, not by men, according to the ABS. It's also worth making the point that men's violence in the home is often a response to the goading of the woman, who is granted impunity to keep irritating as long as she likes, in the certain knowledge that her victim is not allowed to do anything to respond. After all, if he even raises his voice, he's being "violent" according to the girls in the "coffee club" (and at Legal Aid, the little darlings).

What we're seeing in Australia is nothing less than the demonisation of men. The effect on men, as one who was accused of "violence" for daring to shout back (and got slapped with a DVO) is nothing short of devastating. In my own case, it came during a custody matter (surprising, no?) and it resulted in my children not seeing me for 7 months because the magistrate said "I can't take the chance that you may be violent" whilst the case was still at mention stage, ie; no evidence submitted or heard, and added them to the interim order. After 7 months, I gave up fighting and accepted the DVO without admission, at which point, suddenly, miraculously, I was no longer a threat and my children were removed from the final order.

The domestic violence industry in Australia is worth many millions of dollars to the legal practitioners and the social workers who encourage women to claim violence. It is a godsend to shonky family lawyers who wish to avoid having to negotiate properly. It is a gift to controlling women, who can use it as a passive-aggressive assault on the man in their lives. In my view, the industry is self-serving and perpetrates much more violence than it prevents. Few of those within its ranks have anything to boast of.

men of australia!

don't hang around with women who are tougher than you, they will take advantage. fair warning.

this may be this month's "silliest thread", i hope so.

DEMOS, when you can be seen as the guilty one if you defend yourself it's not about who is tougher. When the authorities (cops, counsellors etc) think that DV is not an issue if the perpetrator is female and the victim male it's not silly.

When the cost of walking away may be your kids, your assets and a big slice of your future income it's no joke.

It's time that our society accepted that violence other than in self defense is unacceptable regardless of the genders of the perpetrator and victim.

I doubt that your post will rank as this months most ill informed but a commendable effort never the less.

R0bert

Over sensitivity and hypocrisy is RIFE in this society. lighten up. Obviously domestic violence is wrong. We all know it. Maybe we should complain about funniest home videos as well. *rolls*

I always wonder who complains about ads. This thread SMACKS ('cuse the pun) of sour grapes. Write about the reality of domestic violence, not how some chick might see it as ok to physically abuse their partner because of what they saw on a bank ad...please. I haven't seen the ad, but I bet if I do it'll only confirm what I'm envisioning.