In February 2007, an article entitled "When women strike"
The VeV Aargau wrote the following letter to the editor on this matter:
Heartiest congratulations to Ms. Brambilla on this informative article, which finally presents the perspective of affected men. Unfortunately, as the article itself mentions, this perspective is still far too often ridiculed, ignored, and marginalized. Affected men are, in a sense, struck a second time by this institutional disbelief. Ms. Ingenberg from the victim support center wonders why so few men come forward. I would like to offer her two points. First, such a support center unfortunately only exists in the Canton of Zurich. Men in all other cantons cannot benefit from it. Second: What advice would you give to an affected man and father who, like Michel in the article, is afraid to leave his children with their abusive mother?
Generally speaking, men feel even more ashamed if, after initial attempts to open up, they have been laughed at and mocked. If they are not taken seriously by the police and support centers, and are advised to "solve the matter like a man"—this is a direct quote from an Aargau police officer to an affected man. What he meant by that remains unclear. Men who are beaten are victims, just like women who are. However, comparing the support services available to women with those for men is appalling. Over 20 women's shelters exist in Switzerland, all offering comprehensive counseling and support services for women and their children. In contrast, there isn't a single men's shelter. Not a single institution that could protect and support men and their children. No point of contact for men suffering from domestic violence. While there are numerous support services for violent men, referring a male victim to such a service, as happens in the canton of Aargau, is nothing short of a mockery.
It is common knowledge that domestic violence is particularly prevalent during separations. However, in these situations, the man is in an even worse position. Should he dare to even restrain his physically abusive wife, the resulting bruises will be more than enough to prove to any marriage court that he is a domestic abuser. This usually means immediate eviction, loss of the home, loss of custody of the children, and loss of their social environment. For the children, it means the immediate loss of their father – a potentially traumatic experience, especially in cases where the aggressive mother has thereby evicted the previously protective father from the home.
The figures cited in the report, stating that 80% of perpetrators are male and 20% are female, are only accurate if one considers violence as "directed against the partner." However, if one examines domestic violence as a whole phenomenon and includes violence against children and the elderly, the picture changes dramatically, and women clearly assume the tragic leading role in perpetrating violence.
The VeV, along with numerous other men's and fathers' organizations, has therefore been demanding greater equivalence in the consideration of domestic violence for years. Violence is a human problem, not a male one. We demand solutions and support services for men and children affected by violence from the federal and cantonal governments. The Canton of Zurich has set an example; when will the other cantons follow suit?
Thank you again for this excellent article.
Our letter to the editor was printed in issue 08/07 of February 19th.
Since it was shortened and reworded, we have the printed version here again.