Thailand Joins Campaign Against Domestic Violence

[george]

Thailand joins campaign against domestic violence

BANGKOK: -- Thailand has joined international efforts to protect its citizens from domestic violence with a new Domestic Violence Bill to take effect in November.

According to the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, every day in Thailand, approximately 40 women suffer from domestic violence. Each year, there are reportedly over 11,000 domestic violence cases, with 50 per cent of victims female and the other 50 per cent children. Now victims of abusive partners are to be protected under the Domestic Violence Bill.

"The most important thing is to change people's attitude that it's no longer a private matter but a public issue. People can inform the police of abusive acts or seek help," Poldej Pinprateep, Deputy Minister of Social Development and Human Security told a regional conference here, adding that portrayal of victims in the media must be done with discretion. Photos of victims and abusers cannot be used in a way to bring defamation to them.

The attempts to end violence were addressed and discussed at a United Nations' regional conference, Men as Partners to End Violence Against Women, in Bangkok on Monday. Getting men involved in policy making and disseminating the non-violent attitude are crucial factors to deter abusive behaviour. Regional efforts so far have shown great progress.

Programme Director Dr. Jean D'Cunha of the United Nations Development Fund for Women revealed that many countries in the region have services for victims of violence such as crisis centres in hospital, legal aid for women, job opportunities, job placement for women, counselling and the like. This includes advocacy of men.

Cambodian Delegate Chhay Kim Sore shared his experience of working with young Cambodians to raise awareness on non-violence as an attitude. According to Mr. Sore, Cambodian men believe that it is "manly" to show violence. Men who disagree may be questioned about their manhood. Empowering men to challenge such stereotypical images helps them let go of aggressive behaviour.

Meanwhile, in "developed countries" such as Australia, domestic violence is still present with one in four women being abused.

Managing Director Graeme Wise of The Body Shop supports the campaign to reduce violence by giving out brochures and advice on dealing with abusive behaviour in The Body Shop's retail stores.

Also, using popular sportsmen such as Australian football players or rugby players from New Zealand's All Blacks are role models who campaign against abusive action and create a positive outlook.

Mr. Wise added because young sports stars were role models that many admire, if they say something, people listen.

"If they say something that's very good, that has a positive effect on people growing up," according to Mr. Wise. "Consequently we will get the change we want to see in society."

--TNA 2007-09-03

[MyPenRye]

I am fine with the idea of finding ways to curb physical violence, but --let's be clear-- some women are not always innocent bystanders. Many women --due partly to the size differential-- use different forms of abuse and often use psychological forms of abuse to either provoke or defend themselves. To ignore those is in a way a form of abuse.

Countless studies have indicated that many women use psychological abuse way more than any other forms of abuse as a way to provoke or defend themselves. A recent study conducted by women professors in Canada concluded that girls were (when psychological forms of abuse were taken into consideration) at least as abusive as boys. And, no, girls were not the innocent bystanders or the victims. They were as likely to be the initiator as they were the victim. Of course, men also use psychological abuse, but --of course-- many use physical abuse and more often. Most adults have had to deal with the silent treatment abuse. It is not unheard of that women will manipulate other men (or women) to provoke or defend themselves (which could involve physical forms of violence). Women use sexuality to get what they want or to defend themselves. Women are usually better equiped at delivering psychological abuse, as this is usually the way they had to resolve conflicts when they were young. I think at the end of the day, all of this is related to the inability of human beings (hence, women and men) to use healthy communication techniques or skills to express their needs or bring up an issue.

This is a complicated issue. To point to men --and only men-- as the source of the problem is IMO not only demagogical, but ill-advised, as it is likely to exacerbate issues, not solve them.

Edited September 4, 2007 by MyPenRye

[chiang mai]

It's so nice to see Thailand signing up to support international initiatives, especially when the conference was held here and they are the host country. But does it mean they actually support the initiative and will do something positive, of course not.

[MrPlum]

So many well-meaning governments have it completely wrong. It's no good holding conferences and congratulating each other on developing policies, etc.. without dealing with one of the greatest influences on people's behavior... TV.

I am apalled when I see weekly/daily Thai dramas depicting 'Hi-So' or middle class Thais slapping the maid around. They are all the same. Why is this?

Why, too, do we have the avalanche of physical and gun violence in movies and music videos that leads to a de-sensitisation of populations to violence, the instillation of fear and the turning of well behaved citizens into 'beasts of the field'.

The only outcome of this is to reinforce violent behaviour, just as it has done in other societies. Those familiar with UK dramas such as Grange Hill and Eastenders, filled with snarling aggressive characters solving their problems with violence know how influential they are on the general population.

The government need to back up well meaning programs with supportive programming and strong sanctions against media who's output directly works against the development of civilised society. In other words, tell the U.S. cable and TV companies, who leverage in this destabilising atrocious garbage, on the basis of 'free trade', to get lost.

It would also help to offer HOPE and OPPORTUNITY to those men who don't have work, who turn to alcohol, gambling, money-lenders and womanising. There is a direct correlation between social depravation and increases in domestic violence. There is also less violence in the west against women since women in the west can vote with their feet, finding support and employment elsewhere.

My Thai g/f was beaten repeatedly, not by her father but her mother.

Although politically incorrect, I believe a 'clip round the ear' is a legitimate way to exercise control. Physical pain lasts perhaps minutes, sometimes a few days and is far less damaging than emotional pain, which can last a lifetime. It's when it tips over into extremes that self-restraint is needed. I only ever smacked my child once and it was such a shock that it was very effective. I never had to do it again and my children were extremely well behaved. It is the abusive parent that needs the same 'clip round the ear'.

There should be ways to deal with excessive violence that don't take away a parents ability to discipline. By 'empowering' wives and especially children, in the West, has led to a different kind of excess. That of 'street smart' children doing whatever they want, knowing there will be no sanction. There are many young men in the West who are now so out of control that the only way to change their behaviour is to give them a public flogging. Sending them on holidays at the tax payers expense in the hope that this will help them see there is a better way to live is, is just wishful thinking.

I do agree, having experienced it myself that, in some cases, women trigger violent reactions, through having an 'acid tongue' and manipulating others to violence.

Maybe the sanctions of neighbours, family and friends is the best constraint on men's innate tendency to violence. The law can only do so much and is a blunt instrument, unable to discern what is appropriate and what is not and sometimes blatantly unfair. What does it say about a society that punishes violent behaviour by throwing people into prisons where violence is endemic and by implication acceptable?

Perhaps we should look at the best societies, see what they did and try to develop along similar lines. Societies that nurture and value their people, rather than abandoning them to poverty or brutalising them.

[Briggsy]

It's so nice to see Thailand signing up to support international initiatives, especially when the conference was held here and they are the host country. But does it mean they actually support the initiative and will do something positive, of course not.

Absolutely true.

Let's count successful prosecutions. You'll be waiting a long time before you get past the fingers of one hand.

[TAWP]

My wife's mother hit her too, as did her mother to her.

So in regards to domestic abuse in the extended family here...the woman are the ones performing it.

"The abusers think about new ways to harm us and our freedom, and so do we." </joke>

[jts-khorat]

According to the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, every day in Thailand, approximately 40 women suffer from domestic violence. Each year, there are reportedly over 11,000 domestic violence cases, with 50 per cent of victims female and the other 50 per cent children.

...

Meanwhile, in "developed countries" such as Australia, domestic violence is still present with one in four women being abused.

--TNA 2007-09-03

But isn't that great? Thailand HAS already solved the problems successfully that other nations still grapple with in their backwardness!

There are 0 (Zero!) cases of domestic violence happening against men in this country, while the number of women and children abused per day (40) is already absolutely minute compared to a "developed country", like lets say, Australia.

Those numbers must speak for themselves and national pride can continue unabated...

So nothing to worry here, all onlookers please move on now...

[lazeeboy]

According to the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, every day in Thailand, approximately 40 women suffer from domestic violence. Each year, there are reportedly over 11,000 domestic violence cases, with 50 per cent of victims female and the other 50 per cent children.

...

Meanwhile, in "developed countries" such as Australia, domestic violence is still present with one in four women being abused.

--TNA 2007-09-03

But isn't that great? Thailand HAS already solved the problems successfully that other nations still grapple with in their backwardness!

There are 0 (Zero!) cases of domestic violence happening against men in this country, while the number of women and children abused per day (40) is already absolutely minute compared to a "developed country", like lets say, Australia.

Those numbers must speak for themselves and national pride can continue unabated...

So nothing to worry here, all onlookers please move on now...

lets hope they tell the police about the new laws and they uphold them ................

[mrtoad]

According to the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, every day in Thailand, approximately 40 women suffer from domestic violence. Each year, there are reportedly over 11,000 domestic violence cases, with 50 per cent of victims female and the other 50 per cent children.

...

Meanwhile, in "developed countries" such as Australia, domestic violence is still present with one in four women being abused.

--TNA 2007-09-03

But isn't that great? Thailand HAS already solved the problems successfully that other nations still grapple with in their backwardness!

There are 0 (Zero!) cases of domestic violence happening against men in this country, while the number of women and children abused per day (40) is already absolutely minute compared to a "developed country", like lets say, Australia.

Those numbers must speak for themselves and national pride can continue unabated...

So nothing to worry here, all onlookers please move on now...

Yeah, what a pile of steaming dog turd those figures are. Firstly the numbers against women and children are very low. This is not suprising, as they probably really have little protection under Thai law and the way that it is implemented, so very few end up coming forward.

Many abused people are to scared to even come forward, so even in the west the figures are lower than the probable true figure. In respect of no men being abused, that is complete and utter nonsense, which leads me to believe that these figures have been dreamed up by a couple of blokes over Som Tam and a few Changs.

It just goes to show how far out of touch with reality a lot of the government beauracrats really are.

[peterpanner]

I beat my GF all the time. No wait, I think it's actually called spanking

[geriatrickid]

I beat my GF all the time. No wait, I think it's actually called spanking

umm I can see the torches of the angry mob in Birkenstocks coming for the lynching.....