HRES 590: Half-Truths, Distortions, and Lies - Why This Campaign?

The U.S. House of Representatives is now considering a resolution that stereotypes men as abusers and batterers. If passed, the resolution, known as HRES 590, will be widely publicized during National Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October. That would be a huge set-back to efforts to reform the Violence Against Women Act.

RADAR's analysis reveals that 18 of the 23 statements in the Resolution are one-sided, misleading, exaggerated, defamatory, or simply wrong. Three of them are specifically designed to smear fathers:

• "Whereas 40 to 60 percent of men who abuse women also abuse children."
• "Whereas according to one study, during court ordered visitation, five percent of abusive fathers threaten to kill their spouses, 34 percent of abusive fathers threaten to kidnap their children, and 25 percent of abusive fathers threaten to physically hurt their children."
• "Whereas male children exposed to domestic violence are twice as likely to abuse their own partners."

The RADAR analysis can be read at: http://www.mediaradar.org/docs/RADARanalysis-HRES590.pdf.

The VAWA Reform Coalition is involved in a nationwide campaign to educate the public about why HRES 590 is a bad resolution.

Call your Representative at 1-202-224-3121. Or go to http://www.house.gov to look up your Representative's name and be linked to his/her website to get the fax number or e-mail.

Tell your Representative, HRES 590 is biased, defamatory to men, and harmful to families. Tell your Representative, Vote NO! to HRES 590.