Crockford Scott v Chase RCMP, BCHR

Tribunal to rule if Crown policy is anti-male

2004-10-30  Tribunal to rule if Crown policy is anti-male

The B.C. Human Rights Tribunal will hear the case of a man who claims the Crown counsel's office is gender-biased and routinely discriminates against men when laying domestic violence charges.

Scott Crockford was charged with assault after a fight with his common-law wife on March 16, 2003.  He claimed she was the aggressor, but police and the Crown agreed Crockford should be charged with assault. The charges were ultimately stayed.  Crockford's complaint to the tribunal was accepted and a two-day hearing will commence Aug. 30. 

In the written complaint, Crockford says police and Crown counsel follow an official policy that is gender-biased.  "Apparently there exists a mandate that is based on gender in regards to men's violence against women," he wrote. "As good as the intentions may have been, it has opened the door for legal discrimination against men and in my case enables women to use violence against me without fear of repercussion."  Crockford says he suffers from physical and mental disabilities that made him physically weaker than his spouse, who he says was the aggressor during the fight.

The hearing will proceed despite objections from the B.C. attorney-general's ministry that the tribunal has no jurisdiction to examine the discretion of Crown counsel in laying charges.  Tribunal member Tonie Beharrell dismissed the ministry's objection that the exercise of "prosecutorial discretion is immune from court or tribunal review as a matter of policy and constitutional imperative." 

Relying on statements by the Supreme Court of Canada regarding the role of human rights legislation, Beharrell said: "I find that there is a strong public interest in the application of the [Human Rights] Code which, in any given case, may outweigh the rationale for deference towards decisions made in the exercise of prosecutorial discretion."

The ministry argued policy played no part in the decision to lay charges and that the Crown counsel who recommended charges didn't take the gender of the parties into account. Further, a review of the case showed no evidence of malice, bad faith or that the sex of Crockford or the complainant were an issue, the ministry said. 

But Beharrell had "some concerns" with the assertion that the role of the policy was immaterial because the decision to approve a charge was not discriminatory.  "In this case it is clear that the complaint includes an allegation of systemic discrimination relating to the policy. Specifically, the complaint alleges that the mandate or policy is gender-based and therefore discriminatory as it is based on assumptions that men will always be the aggressors and women always the victim in situations of domestic violence.  Thus, the complaint includes the allegation that the approval of the assault charge is part of a larger pattern of behaviour: that is, the alleged facts were the result of a systemic policy."

© The Vancouver Sun 2004

Name: Valeria L

I have long felt that the legal system was unfair in regard to how domestic violence is handled. I have had to charge my husband's ex with threatening and harrassment so she would leave us alone. She was running to the police every week with a complaint. They would come, haul him to jail, and charge him just on her complaints, claiming she was afraid. Finally, she called my home 24 times in 2 hours in the middle of the night. I got every call traced and in the morning I went and filed the complaint. She was then charged and found guilty. Left to himself, my husband didn't want to file any charges against her. It didn't look "manly". She is a total nut job. Not all sisters are like this but like men they can manipulate the system too. There should be all services available for men as there are for women. Equality should be equality. I don't care if you are male or female, no one has the right to degrade another human being. Let's not forget, the police are a macho bunch.

Name: Paul G

Crown Policy is anti-male. Lets see if this tribunal is good enough to find the truth. Stats Canada finds that nearly half of domestic violence victims are men, but only a tiny minority of the arrests are of women. What is going on? And where are the shelters for battered husbands?

Name: Alan

Have to agree with previous posters, women can be very violent and abusive.

Likewise the courts throughout the western world are extremely biased, here in Malaysia we see feminists trying to set up the same system. I hope my country does not go the same way. Right now we know the truth but chivalry makes it easy to hide
 

Name: Martin C

A woman’s strength lies in the fallacy of her weakness a man weakness lies in the fallacy of his strength.

Name: Tom

It is the same in the USA. My ex frequented a website that advised her to "keep hitting him until he hits you back, then he is toast". She did exactly that hoping to get a DV charge to prevent me from seeing my children out of maliciousness. Though I didn't hit her back, I was the one arrested and charged with DV. Though the charges were dropped, she has prevented me from seeing my children for over three years. District Attorneys and police would rather arrest and prosecute the victim than appear soft on DV, and the worst tragedy of all is what this is doing to children. I would gladly let my ex punch me out every day if it meant my children could have their father back, even though she is just as strong as I am.

Name: Patrick S

Canada is Mysandrist. Every man should know it. All you need is a divorce initiated by the wife in 90% of the cases. Then you will learn about discrimination and double-standart!
 

Name: Walter H. Schneider
Location: Fathers for Life, Bruderheim, Alberta

Of course the legal system, law enforcement and their spin-off industries are biased against men, because they are dominated by feminists (male as well as female) and because they all are afraid of feminists and feminist-biased media coverage.
Men labour under a big handicap. There is no female equivalent of western chivalry, and men are being taught from the time they start walking that "boys don't hit girls". Besides, knives, guns, hammers and poison make for great equalizers.
In addition to the "legal" bias against men, there is the social bias: across Canada about $100 million a year in provincial funding for women's shelters alone, while the only places that men can escape to from their female abusers are the jails. As Abu Ghraib has shown, even there men aren't safe from female abusers of men.
Now women have the power, and for far too many women, power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Name: B. Jenkins

It is well documented, even by Statistics Canada, that Criminal Code level domestic violence is pretty evenly perpetrated by men and women. In fact, what they do hide is that that in intact couples, 5 year rates for violence against men is about 16% higher than against women. It is ignored by the Crown, by the AG, by the SG and by the police and a myth is supported instead. Of course, even when a man is bigger or stronger, they cannot protect themselves because that is violence and they would lose access to their children -- and most men have been trained to "take it from a woman". StatsCan shows that police both ignore men's complaints but actively pursue these "bad men".

Police statistics in BC clearly indicate the bias. Research by people like Dr. Grant Brown show the gender discriminatory implementation of DV policies by the police and the Crown. Heck, in most problems, only reading the policy manuals show it.

Name: gerald l

It is not just the legal system that wears a biased pair of glasses. I am a single father. I am on assistance. I have encountered bias within the social service system, and from the medical profession.

Most of us (men and woman) know there is gender discrimination (against men), the problem is getting someone to listen - judiciously. The way it is now,if you are a guy, it don't matter if you are scratched up and bleeding, if the police are coming for a domestic dispute you might as well pack your bags.

Name: Tuck

A Human Rights Tribunal to actually look into Gender - Biased policies?

Almost all Government and Most Private institutions are and/or have anti-male policies.

Let's hope the Families of the 3,220 or so Dead Canadian Men by Suicide, in the past year, will put their two cents in to this tribunal.

Dr. Grant Browns' Study on Biased against Men by the Police, Crown and Courts should be presented. Unequivicolly, the conclusions of Dr. Brown's study show that Men are treated most severely at every step, while females, for the very same CRIMES are treated as if they are dealing with a traffic violation.

In my own case with the Ontario Human Rights Commission, it appears they who decide, are getting "Political Correctness" confused with facts, evidence and such little matters as my foe committed numerous Criminal Code offences - ( Making a false statement in writing that was to be relied upon; Public Mischief, Obstruction of Justice to name just 3).
F4J adn F4J Canada Come

Name: VanFan

As a woman, I have to think his defense is a bit weak. It's hard to imagine his wife is the aggressor and stronger, though I suppose not unthinkable.

However, what's good for the goose should be good for the gander. We've fought all these years for EQUALITY, not superiority.

One lesson I learned as a young girl: if you hit someone, you must be prepared to get hit back!
Learned it the hard way, and stopped using physical force to solve arguments. Better for it.

Name: Robert

Females are as violent as males, but males are usually more successful at inflicting violence, it depends on the individual. Child abuse is most often perpetrated by females, understandable considering children are more likely to be tended by females than males, if males and females tended children in equal numbers than they would likely abuse children in equal numbers as well. While men and women aren't far apart in their propensity for violence, the Courts are obviously biased against men in any family law situation, it's the new normal. Feminist organizations have successfully used the 'poor little girl' theme to the advantage of women in the Courts and it's not a victory, it's condescending - the patriarchy must appreciate the support however.

Name: Bob

Good post, Vanfan! I especially like your comment about equality, not superiority. Unfortunately, there are a good number of instances where mean and spiteful women twist the system to their advantage to "punish" the male involved in the relationship. And yes, there are women who physically abuse their partners who know better than to defend themselves, because they know that they will not be believed.

Unfortunately too there are still males who abuse their partners and children. Please note that I did not refer to them as men. They are not.

Name: B. Sherman

Most men are stronger than women, that's an undeniable fact. Also, the vast majority of domestic murders are committed by men. Don't try to play the victim, guys. Yes, fighting can go both ways, but when it starts to get physical the woman will be the loser, 9 times out of 10. Stop whining and start taking responsibility for your excess testosterone. Signed, a survivor.

Name: Advocate

"woman's discount" that is what a University of Alberta law professor called the gender bias of the police, crown and the court.
For those who always think that men are stronger I ask; how much weight can 250 pound man lift after being hit on the head with a frying pan?
Remember, 30% of the victims of spousal homicides (not including poison and contract hits) are men and they have no services at all.

Name: Abused Male

I have to agree with Paul here. My ex-wife litterally got away with proverbial murder in court. Everything she said was believed - even when I had HARD EVIDENCE to the contrary. Even her lawyer did not believe she got away with it. The divorce courts are a sham. What made it all even worse was that it was my ex-wife who had been very abusive to me. It started subtlly, moved up to psycological abuse, verbal, and finally physical.

No, I did not hit back. I knew that was what she wanted. Had I ever laid a hand on her, I would have been immediately arrested, and I knew it (so did she).

To Mr. Sherman - I wish my ex-wife had been more physical, then at least someone would have believed ME. Many women are very good at mind games, and those mind games leave wounds that can't be seen, and take a LONG time to heal - especially when there is NO support for male victims. Ever look to see how many women's services there are??? Try finding anyone who gives a flying fig about male victims. :(

Name: opinionated

While there are men who are not nice, there are as many women equally not nice. It takes two to tango, however the male is always to blame whether or not he is guilty. The pendulum has swung too far. And yes, even if the woman begins the dispute and throws the first punch, he is charged and arrested when police arrive. It does happen and good for the person taking the issue with the human rights tribunal - is is about time this is brought out in the open.

a female

Name: Shane

It’s true that most men are stronger than women. However, being strong is not a crime (at least not yet), and it doesn’t give the weaker person increased license to hit the stronger one. Those are ALSO undeniable facts. It’s also a FACT that one-third of all domestic murders are committed by women. Toss in the fact that women are more likely to murder their own children, and you have a pretty shaky case for universal female victimhood.

Women hit men at least as often as men hit women. Men are killed on the job twenty to one over women. Men get drafted; women don’t. Men are assaulted at three times, and murdered at two times, the rate of women. And, last year, Canadian women flushed 110,000 unborn down the toilet rather than use readily available birth control. But rather than face these unflattering facts, feminists just keep screeching that all victims are women (and DARE include children!) and that all aggressors are men.

Denial. It isn’t just a river in Egypt. \

Name: Jim O

Gender Bias The Women’s Equality Minister How about the Gender equality minister. where are the Battered men's Shelter Where is the Charter when it comes to this Law

Name: Peter A

All this "equality" propaganda is smoke-screened Liberal law that effectively undermines humanity.

Politician-lawyers do this for votes and money.

Think of the litigation fees pleading abuse from a male's point of view. The kids' lose big time in every way; the father loses face; the mother gets "satisfaction"; and the lawyer laughs all the way to the bank!

Been there and done that!

Name: Male

Too many people believe that only men can be the aggressor.
There are just as many cruel sadistic women out there as there are cruel and sadistic men, and there are just as many passive insecure men out there as there are women.
If you believe that women are nicer and more passive than men, then you are both mistaken and sexist.
As a result there are just as many abusive relationships out there where the woman abuses the man, as the other way around.
Now it may be true that it is easier for *most* men to protect themselves from a physically abusive women, since men *usually* are physically stronger, but this doesn’t justify the abuse, and what about the emotional and psychological abuse? What possible reason would you have to believe that women don’t abuse men psychologically?
I truly feel sorry for the male victims. Not only are they being abused, they can’t tell anyone about it. If they do, people either don’t believe them, or laugh at them for not being “masculine”.

Name: Ivan

The law is extremely unfair and stacked against the men. Not only in domestic disputes but also in divorce courts. All women have to do is play the "victum" and everything they want is theirs. The man has NO say. Like it or not, this is the sad truth!
NO ONE has the right to abuse a partner, man or woman. EVERYONE should be treated equally in the eyes of the law. "Political Correctness" has driven this country so far down the drain that we'll never see day light. The attitude of the courts and police officers has to change to suit individual cases and NOT be gender biased! Fairness HAS to be the key in ALL cases and we need to convey that to the powers that be. The person that is abusive needs to be taught that right is right and wrong is wrong, who every he or SHE may be!

"Sound-Off" Replies

Name: Ivan

I've already put in my two cents but after reading the above posts have something else to add. It's good to see so many people speaking out about the gender bias within the legal system. Some have even shared personal experiences. It's obvious, men are being screwed, but not the way we would like! Just by reading other peoples posts I feel a little bit better in knowing that it's just not me that has suffered at the hands of abusive women {and their families}. Treat them like a queen and they kick you in the sack, and lie like sidewalks to boot! Not ALL women are users and abusers but the fact is, some ARE and they're getting away with murder! As a female poster from Saskatchewan suggested, why don't we men start up a webb page, and lobby our MPs to "get with the program" and make the law FAIR and make more centers for abused MEN available. Some speak of suicide rates and other serious disorders. ALL true but nowhere to go. Feminism sucks! What happened to equality & fairnes?

Name: karen

As a female I believe that both sides of the story should be heard before one is judged. Women are just as abusive in some cases as men. I think that his side of the story should be heard before he is judged.

Name: just the facts m'am!

Did you guys quoting Stats Canada miss the report this spring that men get their kids more then women do in divorce cases? Did you miss that men hurting men accounts for the #'s of men beaten up & murdered? Did you look at the rate & types of injury done to women reporting battering as compared to what men call abuse? Did you miss that women doing equal work still make less than 75cents on the $ to men? Do you even read the newspaper & retain anything besides that which agrees with your world view?

The Crown policy is to remove the "primary aggressor," determined by a police investigation at the scene. HA! Like they ever do this! Yes, being taken to jail & accounting for violent behaviour sucks. But most men don't ever face those things because women don't call the cops most of the time. This one time the cops took him a way, he spent a night in jail - how many times had this all gone down before & the cops did nothing?

Me thinks the gentlemen doth protest too much.

Name: Shane

“The gentlemen doth protest too much?” I would like VERY MUCH to see those stats showing that dads get the kids more often than moms, especially since men headed only about 20% of all single-parent families as of 1990. (In which case, we should be hearing about deadbeat moms, not deadbeat dads, don’t you think?) Mother-only families are FAR more likely to live in poverty, however; guess women aren’t as equal as they thought they were.

Also, a dead man is a dead man, no matter who kills him. The point is that men are much more likely to be victims of violence than women. They’re also much less likely to run crying to daddy, or in this case, the cops, when it happens. You don’t see men staging take-back-the-streets nights or erecting statues to the memory of men murdered by their wives. The culture of victimhood is largely a fabrication of women, even though they have less to complain about. The fact is that women live longer because life is less dangerous for women.

ame: Pierre-Yves

The Domestic Violence policy is not only anti-male, it is also racist. In Quebec, it is embodied in the "Politique en matière de violence conjuguale", a masterpiece of sexism and institutional hypocrisy discreetly enacted in the late 70's. Copycats of that policy are in force in most Canadian provinces. The policy states black on white that in case of doubt as to who to charge in a DV case, the taller and heavier of the two suspects should be charged and that race is allowed to be a factor in this decision. This obviously covers a wide range of arbitrary decisions by the Crown and the police, in which males and visible minorities are overwhelmingly victimized. It is perfectly well known that over 60% of charges laid under that policy are bogus, that is about 25% of frivolous charges, and 35% that are pure fabrications. Ideological feminism has in fact become a tool of repression against economically disadvantaged males and colored. A nice example of the "divide and conquer" approach a

Name: Valeria L

Women were not given "equality" without having to fight for it. It wasn't that long ago. If men want change to how the system works, with regard to domestic violence, you will have to fight for it, too. Paul Givens asks where are the shelters for battered men. Well Paul, start one, apply for funding, dedicate yourself to this cause. I know women who abuse this system, too. Women who run to the shelters so they will have verification for any accusations, or for whatever other purpose they have. I also know women who are truly in need. Women who are beaten regularly, children terrified or abused, too. Having driven taxi for 21 yrs, I seen alot. I am not blinded by gender. So if you want change, fight for it.
 

Name: Shane M

Women's shelters are notorious for thumbing their noses at what they see as a paternalistic legal system, and have even broken the law by helping women kidnap their own children. Apparently this “we girls have to stick together” mentality knows no boundaries, even moral or legal ones.

How can feminists tell me that violence against women is a problem, when men account for three times as many assault victims, and twice as many murder victims? Since many activists are veterans of rape shelters, I presume they know better than to say something like “They must have been asking for it; they're men, after all.”

The assumption that kids are better off with their mother is official divorce court policy, even though statistics show that single fathers do a better job. Women usually get alimony, too, on a sexist premise that amounts to a two-edged sword: if women can make it on their own, there is no justification for alimony; but if they can’t, they have no right to call themselves equal.

Name: cujo

Gertrude, I'm sorry, but I believe the bias lies with you. Just because you have worked in a rape crisis centre does not necessarily make you an expert in regards to what this discussion is about. If anything, your experience is one sided, and for this you have the biggest bias out of all the posts.

I am no expert, and am not claiming to be, but on this topic alone, I think it is very hard to argue against the fact that the system is bias. I know good and bad people from both genders, but it is the man who usually loses, based on the word of the woman.

Name: k

I to have been victim to the uneven rulings of the courts. 6 months without seeing my boy. Being forced to pay childsupport for someone elses child. Getting hit with a set of keys on the head so hard that I passed out, then being classified by the police as a violent person that probably has a weapon. When the fights started it was her not I that used violence but Im the one that got the treatment from the thugs (oops police) I could go on and on but there isnt that much room.

Name: A victim

B. Sherman: I am a male. If I punched Hulk Hogan in the head for no good reason and he beat the crap out of me, would I be the victim? How about if I was female? It really doesn't matter who is bigger or stronger. My wife, who is more than 12" shorter than me, often hit me AND the kids. Abused me mentally. Abused me in every way she could think of, yet when the police came I was the one threatened with jail and loss of my children if the fighting didn't stop. On one occasion, she even admitted to the police of being the sole aggressor and hitting/kicking me! I was again threatened by the police. The police report made no mention of me being victimized! My children are now fatherless due to the bias system wide. So you can open your eyes, acknowledge the problem, and help to fix it, or you can keep blaming men for everything and harm more families and children . These abusive women need help, not innocence based on gender.

Name: male victim

Living with a violent wife is challenging, especially when they are empowered by the law as it is in Canada. Being approached by a knife-wielding woman who screams "put one bruise on me and you are going to jail" is not a figment of my imagination. Try reporting it to the cops...they just laugh it off.

Name: Peter

This is an absolutely fantastic decision !

Next to the killing of unborn children by their mothers, the international state oppression of men by Feminized legal systems, using Domestic Violence legislation, is the worst human rights abuse in the World today.

It is particularly significant that the Tribunal did not accept the ploy that police discretion about when to prosecute is beyond the jurisdiction of the legal system. This ploy is used in New Zealand, too, and this Canadian decision might make it easier to achieve a similar breakthrough in New Zealand -- and other countries.

Name: Junior

I'd have to agree with the posts here.  Women just as abusive as males.  The courts are there to protect the women.
It took me four years to get rid of my ex.I couldn't even get a restraining order against her.  She was abusive verbally and was starting to get physical.  She even tried to get one of my family members beaten up.  Of course I couldn't prove this or any of her stalking.  The police laughed it off.
She basically went from a sweet girl to a vindictive nut job right after we became engaged. Thank God I escaped. Hmm,  how come no women are posting?

Name: Benoit

It is well known that when a call to police is made for domestic violence 100% of the time, police take the men to the police office. Ask any policemen in Canada! Ask any policemen in USA! What else can then do. So abuse of domestic violence (often with provocation) had become a nice little way for Madame to get rid of Monsieur, get the kid, the house and almost everything that should naturally follow for the next 10 years.

Name: gertrude

It is obvious this guy is not getting it: violence against women is a systemic problem, the bias is against women, not men. I worked in a rape crisis center and it is men like these that are dangerous.

Name: s.D

This is generally true. The misconception is that men are always the aggressor. My ex accused me of assaulting her (kicking her) The police could not see any evidence of bruising and so did not press any charges - except they did not charge her with filing false charges. In court, the judge referred to this matter as if it had occurred even when I showed evidence that it could not have. The bias does not stop with crown counsel.
 

Name: AL

Most Crown policy is anti male around the world. I have my own personal experience with illegalities where I was railroaded into admitting domestic violence against my wife...she started it and ended it ...I was charged. Now tell me there is no bias.
I hear the same with most fathers on the street. Divorced and apart from their kids. Violence is what human beings are...we cant deny it any longer. We go to war and send our females to kill....? What bias?
I certainly dont need statistics to tell me someone is making a million out of parents and its usually the fathers that are downed. There is a bigger picture that cant be spoken of but a trend is happening from some quarters to drum up business. What better way to generate billions of world wide dollars for the legal fraternity and offshoots.
Maybe you the reader wont understand the way I speak but its plain common sense ...something you will never want. Greed is your calling and loneliness is your friend.
cheers    amazed

Name: Paul

To reward me for taking off from our troubled marriage, my ex-wife wrote >100 bad checks in an joint-account. I was the head of the joint-account (never more!), so what happened to me ? I was the one booked with the credit bureau, to say the least.
Although I was paying support, left the apt I bought when I was single, and all the stuff, it was up to me to go to court and prove I hadn't written any of those checks !
The police, the court they didn't care, I treated like a bandit.
She was treated like a poor abandoned victim. She was cleaned from any wrong-doing.
Too bad.

Name: Jim B

By leaving men no protection within the law, by not providing them the support and safe places to go as a victim, by not allowing them to be innocent until proven guilty, by stripping them of all dignity, rights to be a parent, all assets, and acknowleding they need safety from an abusive woman in any part or in whole, do they not put woman at risk. Linda Mills from New York University looks at this aspect. The legal system has a hard time acknowledging woman can be abusive to men, if they acknowledge it at all. Do they reduce domestic violence and suicides or do they contribute to it.

Name: Peter W

The courts and police are completely gender biased ,some of them deny it , some will admit it but say there's nothing they can do , others say "of course we"re gender biased , that's the way it should be". I went thru a nine year marraige from hell after i knocked up a georgeous but crazy part native woman. when she was sober she was like a lost puppy dog , but when she got drunk she went crazy , she was verbally and physically abusive , she'd come home drunk ' wake everybody up and proceed to scream and rant for hours. She'd wreck things and phone my friends and family up in the middle of nite and scream at them. when i was forced to defend myself against her attacks she would "or the neighbors would call police " they always arrested me .She stabbed me on several occasions and then claimed self defense. the police in one incident stood laughing as she chased me around with a rolling pin. when i realized they wouldn't do anything i grabbed her threw her down ,i was promptly arrested

Name: Hermil

The way law bias is applied against male in this country is properly scandalous. Since the rise of extremist feminism, violent women go unchecked with the blessing of corrupt judges and police officers. Men have become a disposable entity that can be kick out of their home, cut away from his siblings on the mere word of an unfaithful wife as it happened to me. This horrendous regime, with full gear and no breaks, is rapidly destroying the very fabrics of our society, our family. How long men in this land are going to tolerate such a perversion of the law? Will we need an uprising to make the criminals dressed in black robe accountable for theirs mischief's?

Name: Mark
Occupation: Lawyer

Just because women got that thing between their legs doesn't mean they should be able to get away with pounding on men. Plenty of women are the aggressors and, unfortunately, when the police become involved, it's always the male who gets dragged away and charged.

Name: Jim B

In Calgary we have a non profit organization that admittedly stereotypes in their advertising that depicts aggressive males. This same group works with the special domestic violence court and works with the domestic conflict unit of the Calgary Police, victims assistance workers and the crown prosecutors. A crown prosecutor sits on its board. This is what we are up against in the criminal courts. A Human Rights action needs to be filed against this Homefront Calgary and the groups involved. I personally am terrified of ever being in a relationship with this lack of protection of law and stereotyping.

Name: Paul J P

As a man, I do believe the Crown is anti-male. My ex, could say anything she wanted about me, and I would have to disprove it. If I said anything about her, it was just written off as hear say (even if I had people backing my claims). I still have this problem, and therefore do not get to see my daughter even though I have the right too, the police will NOT enforce my visitation). It is about time men got some equality out of life, instead of being the underdog.

Name: HALFAN

that kind of discrimination would exist across the country it does in Halifax by Crowns and police gender determines guilt gender determines the aggressor

Name: Buck

I agree that there are a lot of men that beat their wives and girlfriends but - there are also a lot of mean and sadistic women who are just as bad as the low lifes who beat women.
It seems if you are a woman, the courts listen very intently to your side of the story but if your a man they just listen to you with a yeah yeah, sure attitude.
Women want equality, great I'm a big believer in this but - they should expect to be treated the same way that men are.

Name: Shane M

Of course there is bias. Who do you think trotted out all the witch hunts of the 90s in the first place? (By witch hunts, I mean the date rape pseudocrisis, the sexual harrassment pseudocrisis, the domestic violence pseudocrisis, and the tyranny of political correctness.) It's merely a modern version of learned helplessness.

Statistics show that women actually throw the first punch in just over HALF of all domestic disputes. They also show that a child is more likely to be abused or murdered by his mother than his father (about a 60/40 split), and that doesn't even count abortion. Infanticides are almost exclusively by the mother. Even so, women consistently deny their true power and capacity for violence and blame men.

Feminists know all of this; of course, they always have. But as is the case with all activists when presented with inconvenient facts, they respond by pumping up the volume. Eventually the bubble will break, but in the meantime it's going to be a rough ride.