Jeff Kennett: Demonising men won’t end the violence against women
I AM sure we all wish we could wave a magic wand to stop all acts of violence. But believing that men tend to apportion some blame to female victims of the most horrendous crimes is totally wrong, writes Jeff Kennett.
Opinion
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I HEARD Minister Natalie Hutchins on Neil Mitchell’s program last Monday discussing the tragic death of Eurydice Dixon.
During that discussion, the minister implied that men treat a woman’s brutal death differently to women — that men tend to apportion some blame to the victim of the most horrendous crimes. I totally reject that appalling comment.
Of course, I do not know every male in Victoria, but I, like all men I have spoken to since Eurydice was murdered, was horrified, saddened at yet another senseless brutal slaying of a person — makes no difference to me that it be a male or a female.
RECLAIM PRINCES PARK EVENT ATTENDED BY THOUSANDS
ANOTHER VIGIL THAT SHOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN NEEDED
THE THOUGHT ON EVERY WOMAN’S MIND AFTER VIGIL FOR EURYDICE
VANDALS PAINT OFFENSIVE MARKINGS AT PRINCES PARK MEMORIAL SITE
Life is precious, and every time such a crime is committed I find myself asking what if it had been my child. That Hutchins wanted to demonise all men is typical of the direction life seems to be heading. Incorrectly so.
I am sure we all wish we could wave a magic wand to stop all acts of violence. But we can’t.
We are spending more money on campaigns to highlight the advantages to society of greater respect among all people, particularly men to women.
All Victorians should be able to live their lives safely, move around the community safely and enjoy however many years time may give us. But sadly, neither education nor legislation will prevent every criminal act. You simply cannot legislate against evil. It is almost impossible to prevent instantaneous acts of violence.
Just as it is almost impossible to prevent every suicide — many occur because of an immediate thought.
In short, we cannot provide 24/7 supervision of every person.
So often the act of suicide, or a criminal act, is by a very well-adjusted, educated person.
Of course, sometimes the opposite is true. It is by a person with a record of illness, or a history of attempting to take their lives, or behaviour, as was the case in Jill Meagher’s death.
Sometimes that evil is a result of a dysfunctional upbringing, the influence of alcohol or drugs, a sexual motivation, or any one of many other issues that might lead to an instantaneous act.
Sometimes an act of unsociable behaviour is just an out of character, spur-of-the-moment act, that has terrible consequences. But as society attempts to address these issues, please do not make matters worse by blaming all men.
Most men feel no differently to women when these acts of violence occur, and Natalie Hutchins’ attempt to apportion blame by seeking to divide the community based on gender is itself divisive, inaccurate and unhelpful.
The objective should always be to have a safe community.
I am the first to admit I do not have all the answers. All I do know is you won’t make the community safer by trying to divide it with gender bashing or misrepresentation.
Seeing as I have mentioned suicide above, and given the media attention that has surrounded Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain’s deaths recently, let me make an important observation. That is, most suicides are committed by people with either emotional or clinical depression.
Most suicides are preventable.
Of course, for that to occur, those suffering must themselves be prepared to seek professional help. It appears in Kate Spade’s case she knew she had issues, but for reasons of public image refused to seek help.
Life is, as I have said so many times before, the most precious gift we have, and to end it prematurely while still reasonably fit and in possession of our faculties is a waste. But for a parent to take their life leaving behind young children, I fear is the height of irresponsibility, which might lead to terrible unintentional outcomes.
The anecdotal evidence I have witnessed over two decades is often where a father takes his life while having young children. The ramifications of that death may have shocking outcomes years afterwards, particularly among the sons of the departed.
I appeal to parents to reach out and seek professional help before you attempt such an act. For the truth is your family will never be better off without you, but the damage you might be inflicting upon a child might itself result in death.
Over the years I have talked many men away from attempting suicide by suggesting to them if they continue down that path they might unintentionally be causing the death of a son or daughter.
Hard-hitting words, you might say? Perhaps, yes, but realistic. Whatever the reason for considering suicide, most — however difficult — can be overcome with help and the passage of time. Let the conversation about preventing acts of violence and suicide continue.
Let that conversation be frank and honest, remembering that we do not live in a perfect society and we are always going to be confronted by the unexpected, and hurt and saddened by some outcomes. But the truth is we can always do better.
Have a good day.
Jeff Kennett is a former premier of Victoria
@Jeff_Kennett
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