Sir, A number of important issues were highlighted in Kathy Sheridan's article "In fear of being alone, in fear of the dark" on January 13th. This focused on the increasing trend of violence against women.
I was particularly struck by the point that the current statistics cast serious doubt on the perception that more and more women have been "breaking the mould" and that "as well as asserting independence in their personal and working lives, it seemed women might also be able to win control of their own environments". It certainly seems clear that while advances have been made in the attainment of equality for women in such areas as education, employment and public life, women remain vulnerable in the area of physical and sexual violence.
In terms of the suggestions for confronting this situation, I agree that it is time for men to get involved in the issues but I would like to suggest that the value of self defence for women should not be underestimated. In relation to violence against women, I would like to make three points There are physical differences between men and women in general, men are stronger than women
The perception that men are stronger, and can overpower women, in some sense facilitates the attacks of those who carry out these crimes, and perhaps increases women's feelings of vulnerability
The differences in physical strength between the sexes cannot be legislated against, but could be neutralised by a massive programme of education in physical defence and counter attack for women.
In proposing such an approach, I am not suggesting in any way that those who engage in these violent crimes are other than totally responsible for the crimes they commit, but I believe that we must ensure that all possible, responses are immediately put into place. In this way we can begin the process of ensuring that women in our society are no longer perceived as "soft targets" and that they may attain what is perhaps the most overlooked but most fundamental form of equality equality of freedom from sexual violence. Yours, etc., Blackberry Rise, Portmarnock, Co Dublin.