Sir, - Dr Tom Inglis of UCD (October 26th) says that "there is a need for a revised history of gender relations and a more balanced understanding of the sources of abuse and violence in society. For too long there was the simplistic view that men were the perpetrators of violence and women the victims".
This open and enlightened understanding of the issue of domestic violence contrasts sharply with the views expressed by Prof Harry Ferguson who stated (October 5th) that "changing how men and masculinity are constructed is what stopping violence and reaching out to victims has to be all about".
Obviously Prof Ferguson holds the view that men carry all the responsibility for violence and women none. In the circumstances I find it hard to understand how Dr Inglis can approve of the Exploring Masculinities programme as it perpetuates the "simplistic view that men are always the perpetrators of violence and women the victims".
With regard to my recent article in The Irish Times, Dr Inglis says that I "conflate abuse with violence" and goes on to say that "there is a difference between mental abuse and physical violence". "Conflating" (i.e. combining) abuse with violence is not something that I, or Amen, can claim credit (or accept blame) for starting. Organisations dealing with violence against women have always defined violence in the broadest terms to include emotional, mental and psychological abuse. The Report of the Task Force on Violence Against Women states that "domestic violence refers to the use of physical or emotional force or threat of physical force. .."
A leaflet from the Federation of Women's Refuges states that "domestic violence is not just about being physically assaulted; it includes physical or sexual abuse, emotional abuse, degradation, limitations on freedom of movement or association, the destruction of property, threatened or actual child abuse, stalking, retaliation [!] and isolation from family and friends. " Indeed, there are some in the feminist movement who seek to have every disagreement between a man and a woman defined as violence (against women).
While I am unclear as to the point Dr Inglis is trying to make I would suggest that, if he wishes to expand his knowledge of domestic violence, he should consult the 100 studies referred to on our website (www.amen.ie). - Yours, etc.,
Mary T Cleary, Coordinator, Amen, Brew's Hill, Navan, Co Meath.