READER'S VIEW: Blaming the victim an affront to females

BRISBANE District Court judge David Reid, in blaming the victim, has overlooked the imbalance of power in altercations involving women and men.

TO even imply a victim of domestic violence is somehow partially responsible for her own injuries at the hands of a known offender, one with a criminal history, is an affront to every female victim of DV at the hands of someone she knows.

There is no circumstance that justifies DV on any grounds. It is an epidemic in our nation.

There is simply no defence which holds water. Brisbane District Court judge David Reid, in blaming the victim, has overlooked the imbalance of power in altercations involving women and men.

His comments are out of touch with community sentiment.

It only reinforces the position of perpetrators who feel justified in attacking females, often behind closed doors, like cowards.

The Mt Isa one-punch attack on a female bouncer and mother of two at a local hotel, leaving her in intensive care, has angered locals and all families alike, on the receiving end of alcohol-fuelled unprovoked attacks.

The attitude of the judiciary is reprehensible when it comes to the rights of the offenders, disregarding victims' status.

The bottom-line is that men who attack the vulnerable, especially targetting women and children physically unable to match the strength of their attackers, have little or no respect for the vulnerable.

They are bullies who like to think they have power and control over not only their circumstances, but by anyone who opposes their agenda, drunk or not.

Many are dictators in their own families, demanding respect and obedience, without considering the rights of their victims. Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel is now dealing with new year's eve recalcitrant male refugees working in groups, who sexually assaulted and robbed hundreds of women in a public place.

Various cultures condone attacks on women they see as second-class citizens. It is common practice in some cultures.

As such, women are seen as easy prey.

Australia has a historical, intergenerational culture of drinking, contributing to extreme violence, based on a perspective which denigrates weaker demographics.

Men who prowl our streets and night precincts, drunk or drugged, looking for trouble, will ultimately come to blows with innocents on the receiving end.

Unless alcohol distribution is somehow contained or restricted by regulation, this will be a weekly event, as it is.

Young males need positive and conscionable role modelling on how to act respectfully in all social interactions, especially with drinking.

Eloise Rowe,

Tannum Sands

Originally published as READER'S VIEW: Blaming the victim an affront to females