World Premiere of New Documentary, ‘MEN TOO: Male Victims of Domestic Violence:’ Thursday, November 30

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Rebecca Hain: 513-479-3335

World Premiere of New Documentary, ‘MEN TOO: Male Victims of Domestic Violence:’ Thursday, November 30

November 27, 2023 – Natalie Bennett recently was handed a life sentence for stabbing boyfriend Kasey Anderson in the heart and slashing him with a knife. The man died a week before his 25th birthday. In announcing the sentence, Judge Denis Watson commented, “I am sure that you were violent to him on a regular basis. Your influence over him was substantial.” (1)

The tragic death of Kasey Anderson underscores the surging global epidemic of domestic violence against men (2). In response, a new documentary, “MEN TOO – Male Victims of Domestic Violence,” will be aired during an upcoming international Press Conference, to be held on Thursday, November 30 beginning at 11:00am Washington DC time. The event is hosted by the Domestic Abuse and Violence International Alliance.

The press conference will feature introductory remarks by Odette van Rensburg of South Africa, who produced the documentary. The 14-minute film will be screened, followed by comments by several of the persons who are featured in the documentary, and questions from press conference attendees.

The documentary features perspectives from persons in Australia, Canada, England, and the United States. Best known is Erin Pizzey, who founded the first domestic violence shelter in London, England in 1971 (3). Pizzey explains, “We know that the figures between men and women hitting each other…are equal.” Reflecting on her own childhood, Pizzey recalled, “My mother was a great deal more violent than my father.”

The documentary highlights several accounts of men who were victims of domestic violence. Blair Daly from the United States described his first encounter with an abusive wife:

“The first time she assaulted me with her fists was when we were in the bedroom having an argument. She just came after me with her fists, suddenly towards my face…So I tried to restrain her and get out of the room…And that’s when I first realized, oh my gosh, I’m in a relationship. And this is domestic violence.” (4)

The documentary also explores why feminist leaders who espouse the principle of gender equality appear to be reluctant to support services for abuse victims who are male.

Bettina Arndt of Australia explained, “A lot of these women are interested in promoting ideology rather than evidence-based approaches.” Erin Pizzey further revealed, “There were huge holidays offered where single parent mothers were told that they were the future, that men would be expendable, that men as fathers weren’t necessary….As we know now, 50 years later, that’s not at all the truth.”

To receive Zoom access information for the screening, contact Robert Thompson at rthompson@saveservices.org

The Domestic Abuse and Violence International Alliance – DAVIA — consists of 110 member organizations from 33 countries in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, Latin America, and North America. DAVIA seeks to ensure that domestic violence and abuse polices are science-based, family-affirming, and gender-inclusive. https://endtodv.org/coalitions/davia/

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