Today's edition of Blick features a short article about a lecture by VeV member Daniel Neuhaus on the topic of "domestic violence against men." Daniel Neuhaus has become an expert in this field in recent years and runs the only website on this topic in Switzerland: www.mann-als-opfer.com
Instead of addressing the issue with the necessary seriousness, the journalist from Blick resorted to cheap ridicule at the expense of Daniel Neuhaus and all the other affected men. He dared to trivialize the problem of domestic violence and made light of the men affected in a sweeping attack. He gave the impression that this topic was something to laugh about, instead of giving a platform to the sad reality.
We at VeV find this one-sided polemic at the expense of others cheap and utterly despicable. It's well known that this newspaper isn't exactly known for its high standards, but the fact that it allows its columnists to drag it down to such an extent is more than just sad and concerning.
Read here the VeV's response to the column by Blick journalist GM Cavelty
We at VeV Switzerland are outraged by the column "Tatort Cavelty" in today's edition of Blick.
Apparently, Mr. Cavelty has not recognized that both mannschafft and mann-als-opfer are serious, reputable organizations that address the issues they deal with with all due seriousness.
He shamelessly mocks a topic that is anything but funny. Domestic violence against men is a serious, tragic issue that receives far too little public attention.
The statistics from the city police forces of Zurich, Bern, St. Gallen, and other cantons speak volumes. In approximately 20% of all domestic violence cases, the victim is male and the perpetrator female. 20% is a figure that simply cannot be ignored.
Experts often say that victims of violence become victims a second time when no one believes them, when they are simply laughed at and not taken seriously.
This is precisely what Mr. Cavelty did with his immature article. He demonstrates his unwillingness to treat serious topics seriously.
However, this is Mr. Cavelty's personal matter.
However, the situation is different with the print product Blick from Ringier.
That a major daily newspaper not only permits but also publishes such biased reporting is deeply troubling. Is it possible that the ladies and gentlemen in the editorial office are unaware of the domestic violence protection law? Or is it possible that they are unaware that this law protects all victims of violence, not just women? Or is it perhaps that this is yet another deliberate attempt to perpetuate the old cliché of the evil man and the poor woman?
Men's and fathers' organizations are no longer willing to accept these one-sided portrayals in the media. Violence is a human problem, not a male one. We have been emphatically demanding more support in the fight against domestic violence against men for years. While Switzerland has around 25 women's shelters, there isn't a single men's shelter. There are countless support services for female victims, but only one for men!
This isn't about pitting male and female victims against each other. It's about the fact that men can also be victims.
Publications like Mr. Cavelty's are utterly despicable and demonstrate a lack of respect for the victims and a lack of understanding of the facts. They leave one with the suspicion that Mr. Cavelty simply wanted to get a few lines out at the expense of others.
We therefore expect the Blick editorial team to provide an appropriate rebuttal that refers to the known, scientifically verified facts.
I would like to invite Mr. Cavelty to Windisch. Mr. Neuhaus will be giving the same presentation again there on November 29, 2007, at 7:30 p.m. in the Waage Restaurant. This time it will be as part of the VeV event.
Perhaps Mr. Cavelty will then be willing to engage with the exponents instead of producing a superficial laugh at the expense of victims.
VeV Switzerland
