I was distressed to read your report which uncritically reported findings from a small research project ("Sexism stops fathers from seeing children", The Herald, November 20).
I was distressed to read your report which uncritically reported findings from a small research project (\"Sexism stops fathers from seeing children\", The Herald, November 20).
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This was a small study of men who have contact issues with their children, most of whom have been accused of domestic violence and/or sexual abuse of their children. Asking them if services are sexist is akin to exploring how Catholic is the Pope. These men probably have lost contact because their partners and children were abused and do not want to see them. Of course social workers (often also women) will try to protect women and children in these cases, and that will be annoying to these men. We know from research we need to listen more carefully to the victims of abuse.
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Victims of abuse should be heard
I was distressed to read your report which uncritically reported findings from a small research project ("Sexism stops fathers from seeing children", The Herald, November 20).
This was a small study of men who have contact issues with their children, most of whom have been accused of domestic violence and/or sexual abuse of their children. Asking them if services are sexist is akin to exploring how Catholic is the Pope. These men probably have lost contact because their partners and children were abused and do not want to see them. Of course social workers (often also women) will try to protect women and children in these cases, and that will be annoying to these men. We know from research we need to listen more carefully to the victims of abuse.
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We moderate all comments on HeraldScotland on either a pre-moderated or post-moderated basis. If you're a relatively new user then your comments will be reviewed before publication and if we know you well then your comments will be subject to moderation only if other users or the moderators believe you've broken the rules, which are available here.
Moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours. Please be patient if your posts are not approved instantly.
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