Finally! DV Against a man addressed in a "Dear Abby" column

Submitted by Stinger503 on Wed, 2009-05-06 11:33

I have to give credit to Dear Abby for featuring a man being abused by his wife and encouraging him to seek help. Column here. Excerpt:

'DEAR ABBY: My wife thinks it's funny when she hits me. The other day I was splitting some wood and decided to take a break. I began driving golf balls into the field. She came out, grabbed the club out of my hands and whacked me in the leg with it. When I asked her why, she said, "Get back to work!" and started laughing. I was left with a large welt and a big bruise.
...
DEAR FRUSTRATED: Why are you afraid to speak your mind? Are you afraid she'll hit you again? Your wife has a sadistic sense of humor and enjoys seeing you in pain. Unless you draw the line, she will cause you serious injury.

Regardless of how much you love her, for your own safety you should get the heck out of there. What you have described is a form of spousal abuse, and it will escalate. That's why I'm urging you to contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline. The toll-free number is (800) 799-7233. The counselors there offer guidance to women AND men who are being abused by their spouse or partner.'

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Comments

Why wouldn't it be legally feasible to sue a violent female spouse or girlfriend? Since VAWA isn't going to protect men an abused man should use traditional laws on the books against assault and intimidation. The abusive female should be hit with criminal and civil charges.

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Submitted by Luek on Thu, 2009-05-07 00:08

While this may be a step forward it is also lacking in a couple of ways. First, she holds the man responsible in saying why are you afraid? Can you imagine her saying the same thing to a woman who's husband hit her with a golf club? "Why are you afraid honey, just grow a pair" No way. Then she excuses the wifes violence by claiming it is her sense of humor! "Oh yeah, your husband keeps beating you with that stick because of his sense of humor!!" lol Stop excusing female's violence and call it what it is, WRONG, and what should be done, she should be given the same treatment a violent man would get. Still plenty of sexism cooking but at least the idea is on the table.

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Submitted by Tom on Thu, 2009-05-07 11:20

Abby would've simply said "Dial 911, honey." Nor does she acknowledge that there are few resources for abused men. This is in keeping with the Landers sisters tradition of sexism. They tread more lightly nowadays because they've been repeatedly called on their double standards.

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Submitted by Hunchback on Thu, 2009-05-07 11:48