In issue 6/2007, two authors wrote an article on the topic of domestic violence .
The VeV comments on this as follows:
This article is an absolutely one-sided representation of a social problem.
Domestic violence exists, it is a bad thing! But domestic violence is by no means just male violence. Domestic violence is a human problem. Recognized statistics today assume that the proportion of perpetrators is up to 50%. The police statistics for the canton of Zurich for 2006 show that 20% of perpetrators were female, although it can be assumed that the number of unreported cases is high. The mere use of the male term “perpetrator” in this article repeatedly suggests that the perpetrators are exclusively male. To continue to claim this despite well-known studies and statistics borders on denying the truth. We must finally say goodbye to the myth of the bad man and the poor woman and open our eyes to the real facts. Domestic violence must be stopped - but it is important to turn the right person away! We would like to read in the Observer what affected men can do. Where they can turn, perhaps even with their children. Which places offer shelter to men affected by violence and their children? Where do battered men receive support? When will the first men's shelter finally be built in Switzerland? We have over 20 women's shelters, but not a single men's shelter. When does the observer stand up for these people? Observer's reply dated March 28, 2007
Thank you very much for your critical letter dated March 27, 2007. We are pleased that the Observer topic “Domestic violence: whoever hits, leaves!” has found your attention. Letters from our readership provide valuable suggestions for our work.
We have forwarded your letter to the editor and your statement to the responsible editor. We also forwarded your letter to the responsible editors as a suggestion for a follow-up article. If we take up the topic you have suggested, we would take the liberty of contacting you. However, we cannot make any firm promises to you, as we receive a lot of letters and are therefore forced to make a selection that also includes suitable contributions.
The Observer is a critical magazine and it needs attentive readers like you. Thank you again for your comment and your interest in our magazine.