“I spent 23 years as a counselor including 12 years as a probation counselor. Arrests, prosecutions and sentencing in domestic violence cases are primarily based on gender, not on behavior. It so ingrained into the system that the authorities usually do not know that they are being prejudicial. Very few cases of domestic violence fit the profile presented in the popular media or used in treatment programs for men.”
An interesting letter in the Vancouver Columbian about domestic violence arrest policies.ÂÂÂ
I commend Ron Jones for having the courage to say that which is politically incorrect regarding domestic violence. Jones’ May 18 letter, “Men victimized, too,” pointed out that domestic violence has been promoted as a male against female problem. I suggest that the problem is far worse and far more endemic.
I spent 23 years as a counselor including 12 years as a probation counselor. Arrests, prosecutions and sentencing in domestic violence cases are primarily based on gender, not on behavior. It is so ingrained into the system that the authorities usually do not know that they are being prejudicial.
Very few cases of domestic violence fit the profile presented in the popular media or used in treatment programs for men. The result is that the programs in place successfully meet certain political objectives, but in doing so damage the relationship between men and women. I am convinced that these programs increase the level of family dysfunction.
The way to change the end result is simple. The system and the people running it become honest. I found that both those presented as perpetrators of domestic violence and those who were supposed victims were nearly always honest about their behavior. It is those in authority who operate by a political agenda.
Ron Austin
VancouverÂÂÂ
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