Q&A tackles “Family Violence”
The publicly funded facilitator of politically correct and progressive media bias in Australia, the Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC), will host an episode of it regular “Q&A” program looking at “Family Violence” on Monday 23 Feb, 9.35pm AEDT, Simulcast live on ABC News 24.
Q&A is described as putting “punters, pollies and pundits together in the studio to thrash out the hot issues of the week, live to air.”
Those familiar with the program will know a common tactic is to stack the panel of usually 5 persons plus the moderator with 3 or more often 4 usually politically correct or “progressive” panellists and invite a token conservative panellist or one with an opposing view to enable a veneer of inclusiveness. Suffice to say the studio audience usually appears similarly stacked, as do the questions selected to be asked of the panel.
On Wednesday of this week, 5 days before the program is due to air, I was invited to be the fifth panellist. Speaking to a Q&A representative by phone, I wondered why a representative of the 1in3 Campaign had not been invited, and was advised that they declined the invitation. It all seemed a bit fishy given I had previously attempted to cross swords with one of the other panellists Natasha Stott – Despoja via this open letter, calling out her bias on the issue of Domestic Violence.
Still the opportunity of possibly being able to draw attention to aspects of “Family Violence” left out of the debate around “violence against women” was attractive. This could include an examination of other types of family violence including elder abuse and child abuse where women are known to be the predominant offending group as well as illustrate how the extent of male victimisation in intimate relationships is far greater than commonly acknowledged.
The lack of services for male victims could be highlighted as an abuse of human rights and the state sanctioned sex discrimination that it is, especially in the context of “gender equality” being seen as a key goal in reducing violence. The malicious use trivial or false Domestic Violence Orders as a weapon of abuse and tool alienation of children could be put to a national audience… and much more.
But wait, why me? Was this a set up? Was it a just an opportunity to vilify me as an MRA, misogynist etc. Why would 1in3 decline such an opportunity?
I decided to contact the 1in3 campaign and this is where it gets interesting. They had been approached some time ago and they had offered Dr Elizabeth Celi, a well know psychologist and men’s health advocate. Elizabeth has made many media appearances, is a past board member of the Australian Psychological Society, and has published books on men’s health and male victims of domestic violence. 1in3 considered her best qualified and suited to the task, but the ABC declined this offer, they wanted another MALE panellist.
I’m not sure how many others were approached before they got to ask me, but know of at least one other. The panel has now been publicised and the fifth spot given to a Gold Coast Social Worker, Simon Santosha. As a member of the predominantly feminist / social justice inspired discipline of Social Work it’s not clear where Simon stands in regard to male victims of DV. Still he has expertise in couples counselling, an area that should be more widely available to mutually abusive partner who wish to stay together and strengthen their relationship without violence. We will see how he performs.
Of course the feminist social media frenzy and backlash once the panel makeup was announced was predictable, “structural sexism” at work they cawed with a 3:2 male female ratio discussing family violence. Little did they know that it was the ABC’s sexism at work. Ironically if Dr Celi had been accepted, the criticism would probably be the same, as her proven record in gender equality and compassion for all victims regardless of sex, does not sit well with the narrative espoused by the current wave of Aussie fembots.
I would encourage every one to tune in to the ABC or ABC News 24 and see how the show plays out. You can also ask questions online and comment during the show on the Q&A Twitter hashtag #QandA
