Battered women

Press, 6 September 1980, Page 14

Battered women

Sir,—How pathetic of Pam Gillard to complain about John Church J being interviewed on behalf of the Battered . Women’s Support Group (September 2). There are numerous women who, because of the of the group, have managed to escape from these violent situations, and who now, through ; the group, assist other women. I can only assume that Pam Gillard has never been a battered woman : or she would understand that because of the fear we have known we are loath to reveal our identity and possibly ■ suffer further- bnital repercussions from ou§ own for*

mer partners or other violent men. If. Pam Gillard is really concerned about the plight of fellow women, I suggest, her time would be better spent working on more positive aspects of! the problem, e.g. changing the proposed Family Proceedings Bill. There are many women and children in Christchurch who owe their security, sanity, and possibly life, to the hours of devotion and caring that John Church and others (both male and female) have given in an attempt to make women safe from these sadistic men.—Yours, etc., J. A. SULLIVAN. September 2, 1980.