Rhian

The bottom line is that I can and did provide evidence for all that I have argued. The same cannot be said for the assertion that "all violence against women begins with disrespecting women", which is the grossest exaggeration. It is equally untrue to suggest that domestic violence perpetrated by women is "insignificant". It is quite clear that proposed new spending will not work because it is based on a false set of premises.

I also take issue with your assertion that I " cumulatively belittle women’s concerns". I don't. I share concerns about all form of violence against the person, irrespective of their sex. While I have belittled the Government's response, I did propose alternative measures that are much more likely to be effective.

There is a further reality in all of this, namely basic biology. The male in nearly all species is more aggressive that the female. The reason has little to do with "respect" or "socialisation". The underlying cause is basically hormonal.

Pointing out the problems with the patriarchy theory of DV is easy. It is a flawed understanding of DV. Coming up with a solution to the problem of DV is harder.

My understanding is that an inability to find new housing is a major stressor. People cannot leave or ask their partner to leave because they will not get alternative housing. Solving this problem will do more than making motherhood statements about respecting women.

@Jay- Women who think like you end up going from one violent relationship to another. They are always looking for a "real man" to protect them from the last thug. Everyone opposes violence, but some can always justify their violence, because of "exceptional circumstances".

Bren:
“There is a further reality in all of this, namely basic biology. The male in nearly all species is more aggressive that the female. The reason has little to do with "respect" or "socialisation". The underlying cause is basically hormonal.”

I think biology has a big part to play but I’m not sure it is hormonal. There are many types of aggression – violence is only one type. I think if you looked at any domestic relationship you would find that the desire to hurt is equal for both genders. When you want to hurt you are going to use whatever advantage you have and men do have a biological advantage when it comes to violence because they have more power and strength. Nine times out of ten in a violent fight with a woman the man will come out on top. Probably women only come out on top when they use some kind of weapon which evens the score.

A small man is not going to take on a large man in a physical fight for the same reason – he has little chance of succeeding. It is always about who has the physical advantage. It just stands to reason that the biggest person will usually win such a fight.

Women use other methods of aggression and these methods work or else they would not bother with them. Bruises and broken bones will heal but sometimes the damage done by belittling, sarcasm, humiliation, destruction of property and many other methods can do more damage. Anyone on the end of these aggressive behaviours knows how much damage these things do especially if it goes on for years.

Many women have an agenda to keep the focus on violence rather than aggression because they feel guilty about their own acts of aggression and this is how they try and bury that guilt. This dishonesty contributes a lot to a toxic domestic relationship and it needs to be a part of the debate.

Bren

Who has said that female violence against men in “insignificant”? Did Turnbull? It is certainly less significant than male violence against women, both because male attacks on women are more frequent and because they tend to have more severe consequences. But violence by anyone against anyone is a problem.

You provided a lot of stats on the relative prevalence of male and female violence, but almost none supporting the proposition that the government’s measures won’t work.

You say “The male in nearly all species is more aggressive that the female.” True, but biological determinism really isn’t an excuse for male violence

It also occurs to me that talking about mental illness is problematic, because it lumps together a wide range of people with a wide range of behaviours. It is more useful to talk about certain diagnoses causing certain problems, like depression looking like laziness and borderline personalities leading to complicated relationships.

Rhian

You ask "Who has said that female violence against men in “insignificant”? Did Turnbull?"

Effectively all those who emphasise "violence against women" instead of "domestic violence" are saying this. This is the extreme feminist line that claims that more respect for women and changing attitudes will solve the problem. Turnbull only talked about "violence against women" and "respect". By omission, he is supporting the line that female violence against men is insignificant.

Biology is no excuse for bad behaviour, though it might help explain it.

There is probably no complete solution to domestic violence. I have proposed some measures that might be more effective that what Turnbull announced, and which should cost a lot less.