1 in 3 women have experienced violence in their lives and I out of every 5 women have been a victim of sexual assault, according to the prime minister of Australia, Kevin Rudd. These are horrifying statistics.
I have never been in the situation myself of having an abusive husband. But I’ve had friends who have. So I know a little of the physical, mental and emotional scars it leaves behind and how hard it is after having been in that sort of relationship for the woman to trust a man again. And yet, those who have been in abusive relationships can often end up back in an abusive situation with their next partner. It’s like they have a propensity to pick the same type of man.
It’s a physical reality that most men are stronger than women. I know Mick can lift or carry things I couldn’t. But he would never use that strength against me. You could say, it’s partly because of the way he was brought up – to respect women, because there is no doubt our families do influence our behavior.
When it comes to domestic violence the home is a good starting point. Children, both the boys and girls, need to see an example of love, care and respect by both their parents for each other. If that is what they grow up with, they are more likely to emulate that as adults in their own marriages.
Someone once said the best thing a father can do for his son is to love his wife and show that love in gentleness and respect in marriage. Yes, we need to educate people. While programs in the schools to teach respectful relationships as our prime minister suggested are good, it really needs to start in the home.
Both men and women need to be aware of the example we are setting for our children and show them that love and marriage is all about caring for and respecting the other person, not demanding our own way and being critical if we doesn’t get it. We need to set an example in marriage of working through issues, by talking and showing love and respect to arrive at a peaceful resolution.