Texas denies male victims of domestic violence

October 20, 5:55 AMFamily Rights ExaminerTeri Stoddard

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The Hunstville Item is running a story about The SAAFE House and how they're recognizing Domestic Violence Awareness Month.  Their eye-catching project involves hanging shoes from trees at the Walker County Courthouse, a pair for each domestic violence murder victim. 

The problem with this display is the blatant gender bias that is apparent from the name alone: "In Her Shoes."  Community organizer Alex White told The Item, “Those 136 women were daughters, mothers, sisters, aunts, neighbors and friends."

NewsCenter25 has a story about the Women's Crisis Center for Mid-Coast Family Services in Victoria, their 25th anniversary, and how they're recognizing Domestic Violence Awareness Month.  Their project also involves hanging clothing, this time t-shirts.  News reports show only female victims' names and stories being told.

What about male victims?  Certainly those in high positions in the Texas family violence industry would make sure to address and provide services for every victim.  Right?

A quick look at the Texas Council on Family Violence website is discouraging to male victims of abuse, and disgusting to their advocates.  It's all there in their own words. 

Each year, the Texas Council on Family Violence compiles a list of the women killed by their male intimate partners in Texas.

It seems they have no concern about men who are abused or murdered during domestic disputes.  It's not like it didn't happen.  Texas wasn't lucky enough to avoid having a woman murder her husband last year.  This is the story of one:

Charles Shanks, 49, was killed by wife Kimberly Shanks, 51, on December 14, 2008 in Allen, Texas during a domestic dispute.  And here's no chance it was an accident.  Kimberly stabbed Charles for having the TV too loud, admitting she had aimed for his heart.  She then went next door, picked up a heavy rock, brought it into their home, and hit Charles over the head with it.  She still wasn't done.  She stabbed him again, this time in the back.

I hope next year The SAAFE House will hang shoes to represent the men who have been killed by their female intimate partners this year.  Here are two of their stories: 

Michael Jackson was stabbed in the chest and back by wife Dina on February 25 in South Fort Worth.  Dina was apprehended on her way to Las Vegas. 

Melissa Dawn Fleming, 40, shot and killed husband Joseph, 45, on June 14 in Gladewater.  She went to the police and nonchalantly stated that she'd shot him.  Police say there have been no disturbance calls to their residence in the past.

It will be interesting to see if there are men's shoes on display next year to represent Michael and Joseph.  And even more important, how soon will a pair be hanging at the corner of Sam Houston Avenue and 12th Street for Charles Shanks?

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