Notes on domestic violence, extract, book 2, travelling, part 2

Fran’s second email was long, and Alice decided to print it out. 
Fran wrote that she was in contact with Devery in connection with the three new initiatives: Learn how to defend yourself, Stop causing harm with your sexuality (Your dick is not a weapon, your boobs are not a means to an end), and Where does our violent behaviour come from? brought up by the Hub Team in Cape Town. So far, each initiative had a small initial team to outline the aims and approaches for their work.
Alice paused reading and looked out of the window. 
Blue sky. Nothing to disturb the view. Nothing to suggest that anything could be other than fine — and blue. 
Alice sighed. So much violence. Could a few initiatives really make a difference? Well, they had to try. 
Fran concluded her email with notes on domestic violence. While reading them, Alice underlined some remarks.

Where do things go wrong between men and women? And why? Is there anything we can do, apart from exposing the violence?

address the issue of domestic violence as openly and actively as possible in our town project. 

make it known that we are very strict on violence of any kind, physical or mental.

Creating an environment which helps people to have a content life might be the best way to prevent domestic violence. 

consider adding a sanctuary to our town for survivors of domestic and sexual violence. 

The sanctuary supports any survivor of violence regardless of gender, age and origin. 

A place guarded and safe. No questions asked. 

Encouraging people to see their own worth is vital.

what to do when a relationship turns sour.

to identify what they don’t have to put up with.

and some cheeky bad ass retorts to use in defence.

Cheeky bad ass retorts. Alice chuckled. This was Fran writing, head of Research and billionaire and married to Tom. Cheeky bad ass retorts! Alice underlined the remark a few more times.

Abuse comes from members of all sexes. 

boys and men suffer abuse too. 

Some men are under their wives’ or worse under their mother’s thumb.

Too many women and girls, men and boys find themselves in abusive relationships or dependencies. What can we do to inform women and men how to avoid such situations, and how to react if they get caught up in one?

There are still many people of all sexes who view women as weak and inferior. Why?

What makes a man hate a woman? What makes a woman hate a man?

Why are there still people who believe that beating a partner is acceptable, even necessary?

We should make this about respect for each other, and respectful conduct with one another.

For young people, there are charities who offer programmes to promote healthy relationships based on equality and respect. I recommend, however, that we include all age groups in our efforts. 

Alice leaned back and closed her eyes, pondering.

Where do things go wrong between women and men?
And why?

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