Both genders victims of domestic violence

Catholic New Times, Dec 5, 2004 by Joseph Polito

Re: "Men still abusive" (CNT, Nov.7). Peggy Flanagan's religious order certainly practises the spirit of Christianity epitomized by the parable of the Good Samaritan. However, defining domestic violence in terms of both victim and perpetrator by gender is contrary to that spirit.

Samaritans were viewed harshly by the Jews. The parable about the heroic Samaritan clearly was critical of that prejudice and tells us it is wrong to judge people by their group identities. Paul reinforces the message in Galatians 3:27-8: "There is neither Jew nor Greek," etc.

Debating what group, religion, race, region, ethnic group of gender commits more offences is a descent into the tribalistic feuds that feed violence all over the world. Those who abuse their parents, their children, their elders, or their spouses belong to one group: the sinful. Those who fight against such abuse belong to one group: the good.

Fighting against domestic violence is noble, but it must include all victims--children, elders, women and men. Condemning the perpetrators must include all of them, male or female.

In most situations we have expanded Martin Luther King's dream to be judged individually "not by the colour of our skin but by the content of our character," to "not by our gender, age, religion, language and ethnicity." Battling domestic violence needs the same approach.

Joseph Polito

Etobicoke, Ont.