When it comes to the discussion of domestic violence and provision of services, I often see a minefield riddled with myths, misnomers and ideological fantasy.
Because anyone who actually looks at the data will see domestic violence is not a means of patriarchal male oppression; but a complex web of learnt behaviour, often stemming from childhood experiences and trauma.
What’s more, is that it’s an issue that affects all genders, and both men and women equally.
The mountain of data that shows this gender symmetry can no longer be ignored.
And yet is, by policy makers, by advocates, and most heartbreakingly of all, by providers of abuse provision, who exclusively tailor refuge support to women and children only.
This makes it all the more refreshing to find emerging researchers such as Deborah Powney, who are smashing the myths that deny the truth of domestic abuse, which restrict all survivors from receiving support.
Let’s see what she found.
Powney’s full talk on her study is here https://tinyurl.com/yuf4s3xs
[1] https://tinyurl.com/vp62jp5e
[2] https://tinyurl.com/2u4rnape