gina-I'm not saying any specific organization states that DV is 100% male on female. What I'm saying is that every article(not just in the Gazette)makes that implication both by whats said and whats not said..Except for that one little quip that you mentioned(which was not part of the actual article itself), every article leaves the reader with the impression that women do not commit DV, only men...Although its not specifically stated, thats the impression thats given.
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My heart goes out to all the women who has dealt with such an aweful situation as domestic abuse. But I do hope they had some women who get restraining orders on their boyfriends/husbands there and learn from others experiences to keep the restraining orders in place instead of coming back a week or two later and wanting them dismissed becuz their "man" decided to be nice for a day! I wish these women would learn that hitting, verbal abuse is not acceptable and to get out of that situation before it can be deadly.

I read and re-read the article about the Walk a Mile event. No where in the article was it stated that domestic violence is 100% male on female. In fact statistics that were given clearly said that 65% of domestic violence was male against women and 35% was female against male.
Truth1 would you mind telling us which organizations you are referring to when you state that these organizations(?) aren't telling the WHOLE truth about domestic violence? It's easy to make such a bold statement but what do you base your information on? There are organizations in Janesville that help men, women and children. They don't discriminate. Abuse is abuse no matter who the victims are.

Truth1 - wow, I guess this just wasn't your aticle to chime in on. I understand fully what you are saying. I see how many articles give the impression of being just on a womans side, and not a mans or child's. Probably because for whatever reason, women speak out more than men and children are more often than not kept from these things for healing and privacy. I don't think you were being negative or angry. This is just a very touchy subject that already has people on edge before most can comment. Understandable.

I dont really believe that these types of gatherings do much but open old wounds.. Why not have gatherings where one can be taught self defense? Or how your children can defend themselves.. Awareness?? We are all aware of it .. Its not "silence" of a victim that is the problem. Its the punishment (lack of) from our court system that allows all this nonsense.

Truth1 - Seriously, what organizations (that I assume are legitimate and educated on the subject) genuinely "make-believe that DV is 100% male against female, 100% of the time.." That's just a little too hard for me to believe. Any group or "organization" that thinks in %100 percent left or right absolutes (in the manner in which you stated) would be considered more like vigilantes - not truly organized people that want to make a difference in the world. I think what you are stating is your OPINION, not the opinion of the groups you say.

All these post are way out there! You need to really read the article. It is a healing ceremony for anyone who has witnessed or been the victim of abuse. Did you also notice that when the woman asked the Gagettes reporter why there were no city officials there, it was not answered at all. I'd like to know why, the police and courts deal with this on a daily basis. Maybe a cop should attend one and see the real sadness that comes with abuse. I also was abused and hid it, in my first marriage. I never let anyone know til years after our divorce. People think they need to hide it because of uneducated individuals in society and the abuser may come after them again. God Bless, Ericas family and all the other families involved, (and yes, even the man).

I agree

it would be nice if some of these organizations would tell the WHOLE truth about domestic violence instead of implying that DV is 100% male on female 100% of the time(walk a mile in her shoes???)...How many children are severely injured, killed(actively or by neglect), or beaten by women nationally...Its a LOT...There is a LOT more to it than what some people are letting on.

I also think the ceremonial crap that goes on at these events is just plain silly.

It's very sad that such an important event brings out people with obvious chips on their shoulders. Please take your therapy needs elsewhere.

This conversation is quite interesting due to the fact that I'm usually the LAST person to defend men in general from the stupid things I see them do on a daily basis, things which actually DO make me quite angry.

Truth1- Where in this article does it say that the YWCA implies that DV is 100% male on female? The article cites true facts from local incidents and quoted statements from people who attended- THAT'S IT. The YWCA does provide services for men, women, and children. It is true that the YWCA provides shelter for only women and children. Nobody can save everybody. They do a wonderful job focusing their efforts on helping the majority of victims, which ARE women and children. Had you attended the Walk A Mile event you would have heard the YWCA announce that they do also provide services for men who are DV victims.

YOU implied that the YWCA ignores child victims of Child Abuse because they held a DV vigil. Have you ever been to the CARE House? I challenge you to visit the YWCA and ask for a tour of that facility, which they will be happy to give you. The things they do to help child abuse victims begin their healing process is incredible. You will have a much different opinion of what the YWCA does for these children once you take a little time to learn about all the great things they do.

It just seems that more is done to *encourage* one category of victims to come forward and less to encourage other categories of victims to come forward...One pertinent dynamic to this is that a child often cannot come forward by themselves if they are abused by their mother or allowed by the mother to be abused by someone else either knowingly or by neglect.

As I have stated before, the YWCA knows that women, men and children are the victims of domestic violence and abuse. Men as well as women call the YWCA hotline and both are treated with respect and given resources for help. I don't think the YWCA has ever implied that DV is 100% male on female 100% of the time. Men and women are both capable of domestic violence. The sad thing is that a lot of victims chose not to speak out or are ashamed about the abuse. More men are talking about abuse these days, but don't blame an organization for failure of the victims to report the abuse. The YWCA does an enormous amount of good in this community and by holding these events they bring these issues to the forefront by encouraging victims to break the silence. More people are sharing their story and if you read the article about the Candle Light Vigil held last night you will see that a man read his poetry about his abuse as a child. If you are an in an abusive relationship whether you are male or female I encourage you to call the YWCA hotline. The number is 608-752-2583.

justin- Nice spin again....so anyone interested in the whole truth about the subject is "angry" and "mad"......interesting..
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Also, I have no personal interest in it either way, but there are many who do...ALL people should be free from abuse and are entilted to the TRUTH, both on the street and in court.

Again, some people and organizations want to make-believe that DV is 100% male against female, 100% of the time..This is a myth that does a lot of damage to other victims of DV.

My bad. You're not mad at women, you're mad at everybody and everything that doesn't directly benefit you. Please accept my most sincere apologies.

justin- Nice "spin" on what I said..."angry at women"? No...just interested in the WHOLE truth on the subject..Violence is not only ONE direction ALL the time like some want to pretend.

Great story! Cudos to the Gazette.

truth1 - Are you really that angry at women that you have to complain about every story that doesn't directly benefit you? Instead of complaining why don't you create a group that deals with the problems that you think are important. Great story btw.

It would be nice if some of these organizations would tell the WHOLE truth about domestic violence instead of implying that DV is 100% male on female 100% of the time(walk a mile in her shoes???)...How many children are severely injured, killed(actively or by neglect), or beaten by women nationally...Its a LOT...There is a LOT more to it than what some people are letting on.
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