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Men’s Refuge in Tauranga

Filed under: General — Rob Case @ 9:53 am Sat 25th August 2007

There’s a story in today’s NZ Herald covering the opening of the new men’s refuge in Tauranga.

It seems remarkably neutral in its tone until we get to the closer:

“An organisation like this wouldn’t work if it didn’t have some women in it because men don’t network and don’t have the passion,” she said.

Just can’t help themselves.

11 Comments »

  1. The real point should be is that our women are respected, we value their special skills, just as they value us as men.

    How does that old saying go? ” A time when men were men, and women were prooud of it!”

    Comment by Alastair — Sat 25th August 2007 @ 10:01 am

  2. Rob, your link didn’t work for me so I have put it here.

    Anyhow, this could have a positive spin. It may encourage more women to come forward and speak out.

    The women’s movement would not have got off the ground without the help of men and I am sure that would have been noted in the papers at the time.

    The main thing is it is happening.

    Comment by julie — Sat 25th August 2007 @ 11:04 am

  3. I think the best point, there is now a refuge for men in Tauranga. And it may lead the way for more around the country. I would be very keen to be able to work with others to set one up down here.

    Comment by wendy — Sat 25th August 2007 @ 11:21 am

  4. Julie,

    There’s a difference between the event (the opening of the refuge) and the reporting of it in the press. My comment is directed at the journalist.

    The women’s movement would not have got off the ground without the help of men and I am sure that would have been noted in the papers at the time.

    It’s right to acknowledge and thank those who make a contribution.
    Blanket generalisations about the deficiencies of others because of their gender are not acceptable. It is disrespectful to all the men involved in the opening of the refuge.

    Comment by Rob Case — Sat 25th August 2007 @ 11:36 am

  5. Yes Rob, I see your point.

    Comment by julie — Sat 25th August 2007 @ 11:42 am

  6. What happened to investigative journalism.
    All are aware of the East Auckland Refuge for Men and Families.

    “An organisation like this wouldn’t work if it didn’t have some women in it because men don’t network and don’t have the passion,”

    I find that type of comment to be offensive and an attack at men.
    Perhaps I should wear a skirt and call myself Ida.

    Kind Regards
    Paul Catton
    East Auckland Refuge for Men and Families (09) 940 6236

    Comment by Paul Catton — Sat 25th August 2007 @ 4:35 pm

  7. If there is a difficulty with the advent of Men’s Refuge it is not that you need a Borg mentality to run one, it is that
    1. Whereas women’s Refuge was an attack on the Political State of the family, Men’s Refuge is an attack on the State politic of women, and

    2. That there is a lack of stay at home Men with working wives to run it in their spare time.

    Comment by Bevan Berg — Sun 26th August 2007 @ 3:23 pm

  8. Didn’t Warren Heap set up the first New Zealand’s “mens refuge” a number of years ago?

    Comment by Scrap_The_CSA — Mon 27th August 2007 @ 9:47 am

  9. As far as I am aware he set up the first one in West Auckland, some time in the 90’s before I had any involvement in SFST. That ground work was used as an attempt to establish one in Sth Auckland – and it was only after many years of hard slog, that one did open again, due to Warren’s unfailing passion to overcome the obstacles. That’s not to say that there haven’t been many unofficial refuges with names like couch, caravan, garage, rallies, mate’s park bench and salvation army.

    Comment by Bevan Berg — Mon 27th August 2007 @ 10:16 am

  10. I think Paul Catton has an interesting story about his west and east Auckland Refuges.

    Comment by Bevan Berg — Mon 27th August 2007 @ 10:19 am

  11. I have posted a item from stuff link here. Look at this in terms of Police Policy and Men’s Refuge.

    Comment by Bevan Berg — Mon 27th August 2007 @ 11:21 am

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