When is assault not assault?
One man I know was held by the Family Court to be violent, because he threw cold water (a bucket full) over his (then) wife (in their bed, committing adultary).
He was charged with assault. He had to leave his family home. He was subject to a protection order. He had to attend a femi-nazi programme learning not to be violent.
On TV tonight, I witnessed a woman throwing cold water (via a hose) over two of the fathers protesting in Auckland. I didn’t catch who she is, or her profession.
Will she be charged with assault? If she is a family court lawyer, will she be ordered to undertake a ‘living without violence’ programme? Has she any children? Will she be restricted to supervised contact only with them? Will she be required to leave her home where the assault occurred? Will the assaulted men be awarded protection orders against her?
If not, why not?
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Unless the police were at the incident someone will have to go to them and lay a complaint. Then she should get charged and from what you say, with the incontrovertible evidence of TV - prosecuted.
Comment by Stephen — Sun 30th July 2006 @ 7:08 pm
The police attended the incident of assault, which was not only a hosing down, but a small boulder was thrown at a Protestor.
A complaint was lodged with the Police and they reviewed the footage on scene.
They will be keeping me informed of their progress.
A full digest of the protest will be published soon.
Regards
Paul
Comment by Paul Catton — Sun 30th July 2006 @ 9:03 pm
too true my friend. Ah the injustice of the family court and the inbuilt prejudice against men and their so called “violence and anger” issues which can be twisted from things (such as the bucket of water) into out of proportion, like having to do a femi-nazi programme! what is the world coming to…….
Comment by Aaron — Sun 30th July 2006 @ 10:14 pm
In this situation it will be the old ways. A gentleman shouldn’t throw cold water on a mere women, and a man shouldn’t charge a woman with throwing a rock or cold water on him if he is ” A MAN.”
While early in the case where your friend found his wife in bed, we were magically transported to the new way where we are supposed to use violence because we are civilized people and she has the right to cheat like any man!
This is the PC fox way of operations mind you, and won’t make any sence when set beside the word justice. Yet maybe Kent with Zeal can enlighten us.
Comment by Intrepid — Sun 30th July 2006 @ 11:37 pm
I thought you were supposed to throw cold water on dogs to stop them mating. Why isn’t it appropriate in this case-obviously one of the participants was a bitch
Comment by Chrissy — Mon 31st July 2006 @ 12:35 am
You’ve got a little chippie on your shoulder by the looks, Intrepid.
I agree that assault from a man and from a woman should be measured the same. I’m sure the court would come to a similar conclusion.
Comment by New Zeal — Mon 31st July 2006 @ 12:44 pm
Zeal,
I agree also that assault from a man and from a woman should be measured the same. Unfortunately I can also say indefatigably having been a Probation Officer recently in nz that’s not the way it works out. Indeed nz is so hyper-chivalrous as to have the anacronistic male assaults female as a crime defined by it’s statute books. It has no equivalent female assaults male.
Go figure.
Intrepid,
I admire your broad shoulders.
Comment by Stephen — Wed 2nd August 2006 @ 6:06 pm
I am quite suprised this guy got into so much trouble for throwing water.
I would have thought he would have been gradulated for it because he could have done alot worse.
Gee, what was he supposed to do?
Comment by julie — Wed 2nd August 2006 @ 6:37 pm
I am surprised that he got off so lightly and I am being honest. Months ago I would have been shocked at the trouble he got in to and perhaps even cautious while running myself a bath just in case my partner somehow gained water on her person which she did not specifically request. Now I am very well aware that there was no need for a bucket, water, adultery or even an actual perpetrator in order for him to have been arrested and charged with assault. The one and only requirement needed for him to have to leave his family home, be subject to a protection order, having to attend a femi-nazi programme learning not to be violent, not be allowed to have his statement noted, have his new residence bugged, be intimidated continuously and creatively, not be permitted to see his children for an unknown length of time, be disgraced at work, have his bank and finance company informed of the arrest, have every person living in the area see him be arrested, be forced to turn and run in fear of being arrested again if he did see his wife and or children in public by chance is simply the allegation itself voiced by a female. I can sadly factually state that if she made the allegation and the police arrived finding him dripping wet, her holding the bucket and gutless wonder still in bed obviously stating he saw nothing at all that he would still have been arrested. Stephen knows what he is talking about, he honestly does! In the event of the police being called out to assist a male under attack by a female they will most likely not be turning up. In the unlikely event of them actually showing up while she is still having trouble removing her heel from his ear after jumping on his head and 50 witnessed her doing it he is more likely to be arrested for having used his head to attack her shoe. Years ago I decided that if Buddhism is not mistaken I will definitely be returning as a female in the next, until recently location was of no concern. Female in New Zealand for ever! In the unfortunate event of you being a male while this disgraceful “law” remain in New Zealand then have no doubt that you must be cautious always, period. I wish I had the luxury and inexperience to be able to joke about this issue but I do not. I honestly feel for those who have experienced the full extent of this criminal justice system simply because of a/any allegation by a vindictive female and I promise you that no evidence is needed at all. The honest truth is that regardless of her allegation being humanly impossible to achieve and you as a male have the actual obviously visible injury you will be the one being arrested and you are already guilty and partially sentenced.
Comment by Peter — Wed 25th June 2008 @ 1:26 am
I do apologise for my rather detailed statement above but then again if it assists even one man in turning around and walking away rather than say a single word in return after a woman spoke, swore, provoked, instigated, taunted, abused, harassed or even assaulted him and it prevents him from being arrested for whatever reason she might wish to conjure up then it was all worth it and I retract my apology. The question was when is assault not assault? In short the answer is that assault is assault as soon as any charge is made by a female against a male in New Zealand.
Comment by Peter — Sat 28th June 2008 @ 12:08 am