Ending domestic violence against men

In an effort to educate people about domestic violence, the Pennsylvania state legislature proposed that October be designated as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The seemingly benign resolution has faced hostility from one Representative, though, who claims that the proposal "had a homosexual agenda," detected in the language, "one in six women and one in 33 men have experienced an attempted or completed rape."

In what looks like a weak effort at martyring himself as a women's rights advocate, Representative Daryl Metcalfe said, "I don't support the resolution or funding for groups that go beyond helping women." Although proportionally small, there were over 800,000 reported cases of domestic violence against men in the US last year. Beyond the numbers, though, is the problem with Metcalfe's reasoning that helping women only is enough. A meaningful feminist effort at ending domestic violence includes men in its educational efforts, whether those men are victims or perpetrators.

Imposing homophobia on the state's good faith effort to bring needed attention to domestic violence does a disservice to the men and women of Pennsylvania. (Thank you, Vicki, for the tip.) -Sara