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11 Responses to “Men’s Refuge in Tauranga”

1. Alastair says:

   Sat 25th August 2007 at 10:01 am

   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!”

2. julie says:

   Sat 25th August 2007 at 11:04 am

   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.

3. wendy says:

   Sat 25th August 2007 at 11:21 am

   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.

4. Rob Case says:

   Sat 25th August 2007 at 11:36 am

   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.

5. julie says:

   Sat 25th August 2007 at 11:42 am

   Yes Rob, I see your point.

6. Paul Catton says:

   Sat 25th August 2007 at 4:35 pm

   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

7. Bevan Berg says:

   Sun 26th August 2007 at 3:23 pm

   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.

8. Scrap_The_CSA says:

   Mon 27th August 2007 at 9:47 am

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

9. Bevan Berg says:

   Mon 27th August 2007 at 10:16 am

   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.

10. Bevan Berg says:

    Mon 27th August 2007 at 10:19 am

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

11. Bevan Berg says:

    Mon 27th August 2007 at 11:21 am

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