Domestic Violence Against Men Awareness Month

As most people know, there are laws prohibiting abuse of a spouse,or a child...but did you know that currently, battered MEN take aback seat? How can a tiny woman of her stature and her stance abuse you, a sixfoot, whatever, MAN? That question is one that curls my toes, andsprings me back to life, even on the most boring and mundane ofdays...because that little woman is USUALLY the very one that isfeared...accepted, protected, and regretfully allowed to abuse theman that was so willing to protect her in the beginning of arelationship, creating a bond that will be hard to sever no matterwhat she does to him in her anger. Today, in all of society, men are being abused, most are pushed bysociety to accept it, not speak of it, sweep it under the proverbialcarpet...some find advocacy, and support groups, and some still arereceiving harsh blows of "reality" from family court, justices, andjudges granting the WOMAN a restraint when it is the man that needsthem. Crying quietly and unseen in rooms locked against theseviolent onslaughts, because if they come out of them, they could befalsely accused, men are the usual suspect when 911 is dialed, menare arrested on sight. We implore that you get this out to every person you know...June isDomestic Violence Against Men Awareness Month In June, summer vacation starts for most children in the U.S. andabroad, statistics on child abuse, tend to spike during this time.Mother's are the current and prior, main perpetrator of abuse in theU.S. (According to the Department of Social and HealthServices)..while during this time, there is also a spike in denialof visitation throughout the land, for the statistic minority, thenon custodial father. There are those out there that say womenappear to abuse more often, because they are the primarycaretaker....hmmmm, wouldn't it make sense then to presume that bothmother and father have equal custody in every state? That wouldsurely lower those stats on abusive mothers perhaps?
In June, father's day comes and goes, usually with the averageparenting plan giving six to eight weeks in the summer, because momis custodial parent, and it is in the best interests of the childrento have stability in their lives...but, what if mom decides she doesnot want to share when dad's time comes around? If mom fails tobring the child to a pick up site or does not answer the door, candad call the authorities? No, that is a civil case. What if dadlives out of state? It is still a civil case. What does dad donow? He can file for a contempt hearing...although the SOONEST hecan get this heard is two weeks from the date of filing. Butwait....didn't it say that all parties are to use mediation to avoidcongesting the courts, in the parenting plan? Why yes, it did...toget a mediation hearing, the average wait time is threemonths...NINETY DAYS, the whole summer...and what if mom needs anattorney? They can continue, and continue and continue, until theschool year comes around...and oops, best interests of the childlaws say that Jr. should not be ripped out of his establishedroutine...sorry dad In June, an abusive parent's frustration rise, and they are givenfree reign to abuse...no school, no teachers to turn it in if theysuspect abuse. Hidden family secrets come out since children arenot able to tell anyone. Children are not going to say anythingabout mom tossing dad over a sofa or knocking him into a wall. InJune, the rate of abuse reporting takes a HUGE dip compared to theamount of abuse taking place. In June, this silent destroyer offamilies, is at its peak. In June, when men need us most, no one isaround to hear the cries,they are able to work more due to increaseddaylight. Production is high, but abusive women are still home,feeling the burden of their conscience, the burden of singleparenting during the day, and reflexively are abusing men more andmore and more along with their children. Please make June Domestic Violence Against Men Awareness Month Tami PeppermanKen Deemer Director Shattered Men