A Florida psychology professor has been highly critical of The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) in that it often unfairly is used to strip men of their rights as a father and husbands. According to this individual, the presumption in domestic violence situations often is that the man is a fault. Sadly, there are circumstances when such accusations of abuse turn out to be false.
It probably would surprise most people that approximately 40 percent of individuals physically harmed in domestic violence circumstances do happen to be men. Also, the rates of women charged versus men for domestic violence have dramatically increased in recent years.
One criticism of VAWA is that judges will grant restraining orders under the act without any evidence to show that such orders are necessary. Though the actions of the court in granting such orders may simply be a precautionary measure, it is plausible to see how such orders could ultimately result in the destruction of the family.
Whether the assertions of the Florida professor are or are not correct, the matter does deserve study. Courts should not act upon stereotypical assumptions but instead act only when there is tangible proof. Also, in the case of children being a part of the family, courts need to tread carefully if depriving the father of the right to see their sons or daughters may ultimately result in harm to those very children.
It is the duty of attorneys and courts to make certain that only the truth of each spouse’s actions is brought in as evidence at trial. Neither state nor federal legislation should ever be construed in such a way as to allow false allegations to enter into family law decisions.
Source: Men’s News Daily, “The Violence Against Women Act and The War on Men,” by Gordon E. Finley, Ph.D., April 23, 2012