the distribution of funding between women and men is problematic when there is an imbalance of
power between women and men, as with the provision of men's legislatures only.
women and men compete inequitably for funding.
men insecure about being men feel their privilege threatened, although the vast majority of men are
comfortable being men and have no problem with the distribution of funding to women.
with law enacted by agreement between a women's legislature and a men's legislature power is
balanced and women and men cooperate in the distribution of funding.
insecure men are comforted by the detachment from responsibility over women and the consequent
reinforcement of their status.

The Missus:"women be scared little girls if you wish, but it will attract the very wrong sort of male into your universe. I guarantee it"

Not to mention the wrong sort of "female".

As long as some are prepared to hand control over their lives to others then there will be some who seek to use that control to suit themselves. Making the issue of violence gendered is one way of ensuring that there is a strongly-gendered political base which can be easily manipulated without having to take any other considerations into account.

In an individual we call such an inability to see shades of grey combined with an absolutist "with me or against me" attitude to others "Borderline Personality Disorder". In Feminist political activists we call it "normal"... As you said, the politics of fear works a treat.

R0bert:"White ribbon day could so easily be a day were we all say NO to violence regardless of our own gender. Take the politics out of it and make it a stand against all violence."

Yes, it could, but will it? There is a massive industry dependent on Government funding which will fight tooth and nail to stop their gravy-train being derailed. Let's face it, what on Earth would someone like Flood or Elspeth McInnes or Dale Bagshaw (the list just goes on and on and on) or even pynchme do if they had to do something productive for a living instead of simply making stuff up? The answer of course, is that they will do whatever it takes to avoid having to find out.

So what if a few kids have to suffer abuse at the hands of their Mum, as long as that next grant cheque comes in? After all, the end justifies the means...

dwg, I'm in favour of reducing opening hours, but I suspect that in the context of family violence the plethora of bottle shops in shopping centres is more influential. Some of them are now open at 9am, just in time for Mum to get rid of the kids...

While a non-gender specific anti-violence campaign is a good idea, particularly in view of the increase in violence late at night (largely fuelled by alcohol consumption) I would still like to see the domestic violence campaign continue in it's own right. Whether or not these sorts of campaigns achieve their goal (other than providing a number to call), is a different argument.

The factors and psychology of domestic violence are very different from those of street, criminal and gang violence. There is no reason to exclude male victims of domestic violence in a WRD campaign even if statistics show that women make up the majority of victims. I don't know enough about the psychology of DV and whether the issues are different for men or women.

There may be a case for two separate campaigns, but governments do tend to spend money where there is the greater need and the most noise. If you want something sometimes it means making more noise and bringing issues out into the open.

Either way, those experiencing domestic violence should be able to seek assistance and support in removing themselves from the situation (with chidlren if present). The trouble is always in evidence and proving the risk of returning children to an abuser, given that our society is so hung up on adult rights with very little regard to the safety and needs (or wants) of children.

pelican, "The trouble is always in evidence and proving the risk of returning children to an abuser, given that our society is so hung up on adult rights with very little regard to the safety and needs (or wants) of children."

A convincing case for not separating child sex abuse from the broad child abuse and neglect.

'Posted by whistler, Friday, 4 December 2009 4:11:34 PM'

Whistler, when your finished dribbling, make sure the nurse changes your nappy as well, it's really starting to stink.

men say such loving things when they want to kiss you.