LETTERS: COLUMNIST BLAMES, USES MEDIA

To the editor:

When a journalist accuses the media of propagating false information on domestic violence, then utilizes the same medium for her own agenda on the topic, I am compelled to respond. Kathleen Parker's commentary on domestic violence being exaggerated was seriously flawed. Her quoting of studies by the Justice Department and the Centers for Disease Control without questioning the methods used by the researchers was irresponsible, in the least. Her conclusion that these studies were proof that common statistics were false was dangerous journalism. She proved nothing more than her ability to limit her knowledge of the topic to a few specific numbers that were only part of the bigger picture. Furthermore, a recent report from the CDC's Office of Women's Health contradicts the study she quoted in March. The CDC maintains that as many as 30 percent of women treated in emergency rooms are, in fact, related to physical abuse.

If she knew anything about the dynamics of domestic violence, Parker would have been able to judiciously reason what both the studies were: research done in one arena, hospital emergency rooms. Not all women who are battered go to the emergency room or will offer to the physician, nurse (or researcher) that she was beaten. In fact, many times, if and when they are asked about the nature of their injuries, they will deny it. The battered woman may be ashamed, embarrassed, not understand what domestic abuse is, or the abuser may be present when the woman is questioned. Abusers intimidate the woman into silence. If Parker gleaned any information on domestic violence from the bombardment of news releases, service announcements or statistics the media regurgitated, it was not evident. On the contrary, she demonstrated that despite the media's efforts to educate the public on domestic violence, it was not enough.

Domestic-violence issues are complex. The abuse comes in many forms, all under the heading of domestic violence. Domestic violence goes beyond being slapped, kicked, punched, shoved, shot or beaten. Many women, of all ages, are in relationships that are threatening to their physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual health.

The statistics often quoted in the media that seem to perturb Parker were compiled from quality scientific research done by a variety of disciplines, in particular medicine, nursing, psychology and law. Considerations were given to type or form of abuse and specific settings, specifically women's shelters, primary-care and ob/gyn physician offices, private homes, schools, police and court documents.

Another of her criticism was to imply that a source of massaged data was feminists bent on destroying family values and sucking government funding dry. Parker mistakenly labels the passion felt by persons working in the trenches with survivors of domestic violence as divisive and alienating. Most domestic violence advocates do not take up feminist, male-bashing ideology. It is the antithesis of what we are trying to accomplish: a safe, secure home in which everyone can flourish.

The pen is mightier than the sword. Parker has an obligation as a journalist to do her homework and present all the facts. It is an insult to the public's intelligence to print selective information to further her own propaganda. She is guilty of the same offense she vehemently denounces in her column. I would ask Parker, in the future allow the discriminating reader to come to his own conclusions based on all information. The limited data gathered by these studies by no means reflect the overall state of domestic violence in America today. More importantly, they did not warrant Parker's blanket statement that the violence is exaggerated.

MARIANNE SCHROEDER R.N.

Cape Girardeau