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NB Telegraph-Journal | Readers' Forum As published on page D9 on February 18, 2004

Gender bias does exist - against women

In response to the letter, "Minister's report must not be gender biased" (Telegraph-Journal, Feb. 13), as a member of MensWork Network for Change, I support the provincial government's upcoming release of a discussion paper on domestic violence and "how provincial laws should be changed to more effectively address violence in the home."

The statistics regarding the way men abuse women are clear evidence that a gender bias does exist, and it is certainly a bias against women. Between 1991 and 2001, 738 Canadian women were killed by current or ex-spouses compared to 197 men. In New Brunswick at least 24 women have since 1990 been murdered by spouses, boyfriends or male acquaintances. Two cases of alleged spousal homicide by men are currently before the courts.

Further, the 1999 General Social Survey found that the violence experienced by women tended to be more severe and more often repeated than the violence directed at men.

Compared with men, women were six times more likely to report being sexually assaulted; five times more likely to report being choked; five times more likely to require medical attention as a result of an assault; three times more likely to be physically injured by an assault; more than twice as likely to report being beaten; almost twice as likely to report being threatened with a gun or knife, or having a gun or knife used against them; much more likely to fear for their lives, or be afraid for their children as a result of the violence; more likely to have sleeping problems, suffer depression or anxiety attacks, or have lowered self-esteem as a result of being abused; and more likely to report repeated victimizations. (Source: Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics, Family Violence in Canada: A Statistical Profile, 2000)

MensWork Network for Change believes that society still has a long way to go before gender bias against women is ended in the workplace, economy and political institutions.

We invite and urge men, in partnership with women, to join in the work of ending the violence and injustice that men perpetrate against women. Until we do so, we have no credibility to demand consideration for "men's rights."

TERRANCE TRITES Moncton Via e-mail

December 3, 2003

MensWork Remembers December 6

MensWork Network for Change believes it is not enough for men not to be violent. It is important for men to stand against disrespect and violence towards women whenever it is encountered. On December 6th, we call on all men around the province to remember the 14 women murdered at the Polytechnic Institute Montreal on Dec 6, 1989. We encourage men to join with women in services of remembrance on this day.

Violence against women and children continues to be a societal problem. MensWork Network pledges to work to towards the elimination of violence.

MensWork Network for Change is a provincial group of men and women whose goal is to engage men to work collectively with women to eliminate violence in relationships and society.

For information about MensWork contact trt@etgrafx1.com, or call 506-866-2661

Le Réseau des hommes du N.-B. pour un monde sans violence déclare qu'il n'est pas suffisant pour nous, en tant qu'hommes, de ne pas être violents. Nous prenons position contre la violence en disant que "nous ne tolérons pas le manque de respect in la violence autour de nous." Nous sommes solidaires avec tous ceuxet celles qui se souviennent des 14 femmes tuées à la Polytechnique de Montréal le 6 décembre 1989. La violence contre les femmes et les enfants continue d'être un problème de société, et nous travaillons à l'élimination de cette violence.

Le Réseau des hommes du N.-B. pour un monde sans violence est un groupe provincial d'hommes et de femmes dont le but est d'engager les hommes dans un travail collectif avec les femmes dans l'élimination de la violence dans les relations et dans la société.

Pour plus d'information, contactez contact trt@etgrafx1.com, or call 506-866-2661

December 6 Memorial – Montreal Massacre, 2003

Casely Park, Riverview NB

Today, men are joining women in breaking the silence about men's violence towards women and children. Members of MensWork, a provincial group of men and women have "paid attention to the violence in our community" (Nancy Janovicek) and will not tolerate it any longer. 

In my own work with men, I hear and see the attitudes of male privilege. As much as I am disturbed by these attitudes, I am puzzled and confused by this: how a man who believes that he should not hit a woman or child convinces himself that, when he does hit them, it is somehow necessary or okay. Challenging the thinking that makes it 'okay' opens the window to say we will not tolerate such disrespect.

Lloyd Bruce, a member of MensWork and minister of the United Church of Canada says, "In my mind, for far too long the voices of men have loudly echoed negative and demeaning sentiments about women - the time is long overdue for these same voices to speak out strongly in solidarity with women against the violence so many face." We understand not just the statistics, but the stories of how violence in our communities tear apart homes and shatter love and security - the lives of our neighbours, colleagues, friends.

Members of MensWork are not only prepared to speak out against all forms of violence and abuse - we are joining with other men, women and children, and we are speaking out! On Monday November 24, in partnership with the NB Advisory Council we launched a poster campaign featuring 9 New Brunswick men saying "It's not enough for us as men not to be violent.  We will not tolerate disrespect and violence around us."

Tonight, representing MensWork Network for Change, I am privileged to stand with everyone here to remember. And I resolve again to make this time of remembering a time of change. With other men and women, MensWork Network for Change calls on all men around the province to remember the 14 women murdered at the Polytechnic Institute Montreal on Dec 6, 1989, and to join us in engaging men to work collectively with women to eliminate violence in relationships and society. Terrance R. Trites