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Page 4— Halton Hills This Week, Wednesday: January 27; 1993, EDITORIAL Editorial -- n. 1. an article in a newspaper pre- senting the opinion of the editor or editorial staff. The tangled web The tangled webs we journalists sometimes weave. The editorial that we published in the Jan. 13 edition of Halton Hills This Week, “Glaring Omissions,” met great consternation from the community. The editorial commented on the citizens MP Garth Turner chose to receive an honorary 125th Anniversary of Confederation medal for “significant contribution to compatriots, community and to Canada.” No personal attacks were intended. We wholeheartedly salute the efforts of those involved and did not mean to tarnish their achievements with the editorial. What we did try to convey was that we believe some people who did deserve to be given medals by MP Garth Turner were overlooked. We did not — as one critic put it — intend to “malign” anyone of the 39 people who received a medal including Bob Malcolmson, Gary Brand or Brenda Payton. Interestingly, for every negative comment we received regard- ing our controversial piece we also received some calls of sup- port. What did concern us was that of the 17 people chosen from Halton Hills, none were young people, none were from a minori- ty, and there were few women. We can certainly appreciate that it must have been an extremely daunting task for Turner to select 39 worthy people from Burlington to Caledon to be honored with a medal. The point of the Jan. 13 editorial — as the headline indicates and as already stated — is that we believe there were some peo- ple in town who should have been given the commemorative medals for the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Members of the Halton Hills Blue Fins look like fish out of water as they wait ane bested the club's four team meet Sunday. to by Scott Kline Canada. Share denunciation of KKK Dear Editor: I share Mr. Turner’s denuncia- tion of the Ku Klux Klan and his praise for those who reacted quick- ly and effectively in ousting them from town, as discussed in his recent Parliament Hill Report. I find it curious, however, that in his review of Canada’s generosity that he should include the welcom- ing of refugees since his govern- ment recently passed a Bill limit- ing the ability of some such refugees to get fair treatment when putting forth a claim. Bill C-86 was designed to curb abuses of the former system but may have gone too far in the changing of the Immigration Act. Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, fear these changes will undermine genuine refugees’ protection and are concerned the Bill will increase the risk of individuals being returned to countries in which the may be subjected to tor- ture, detention and/or execution. Mr. Turner voted in favour of this Bill, feeling confident of sup- port from the majority of his con- Stituents. Although the arrival of the Ku Klux Klan alarmed us it also serves as an awakening to the real- ities of the world. We, in often complacent, com- fortable, small town Ontario can no longer remain isolated from issues which seem remote to us. One such issue is discrimination. It exists on a number of levels, none of which are acceptable. We must realize that we have a responsibility as global citizens to protect the dignity and freedoms of all individuals. I call on our politi- cal leaders to do the same. Sincerely, Rosaleen Garneau Faithful reader Dear Editor: I would like to congratulate you and your staff Yor the honest and forthright stand you have taken on local events in your reports and on your editorial page. It is encouraging to be made aware of some of the less obvious aspects of a story, giving the community a more balanced view of the circumstances which affect us all. Please keep us the good work by bringing both sides of the story! A Faithful Reader (Name withheld upon request) Halton Hills This HIS WEEK and is printed in Oakville by Q.E. Web Printing. iph St., Georgetown, Ont. L7G 4B1, price, not be sold. ng Boe FS Tansey pga MANAGER: Marie Shadbott ODUCTION MANAGER: Kathleen Topol HALTON HILLS THIS WEEK IS INDEPENDENTLY OWNED & OPERATED. 173-2254 PHONE: 8: FAX:873-3918 Family Violence Male batterers programs spark controversy By Jacie B. Palmer Programs for male batters have been curtailed in many parts of North America. Although they may have begun less than 20 years these programs have never ceased to be the subject of controversy. Treating males seems to be a lengthy process giving little conclu- sive evidence of the success of such programs. Often, treatment is pre- scribed as part of the criminal jus- tice system, yet there may be no fol- low-up to ensure attendance by bat- terers or degree of success. Women who have a partner in a male treatment program will often remain within the relationship only to experience other forms of abuse as the physical abuse is curtailed. Escalation of verbal and psycho- logical abuse are common. Yet a woman with a partner in a program may be lulled into a false sense of security because she may believe that he is being helped and that things will improve. Signs of improvement may be there but may not last for lang. Male aggression is often linked to anger management, historical male dominance, low self-esteem and childhood experiences. Whether the behavior is learned or not, the issue remains the same. Males are battering more often — at lest it is documented more often. The current tough economic we have seen an escalation in both spousal and child abuse as documented through accounts in newspapers. Some professionals espouse the philosophy that stress reduction can help reduce violence while others believe that if a batterer’s self- esteem can be increased that the violence will gradually stop. What do I think? Well, I believe that we all need to HELP US HELP OURSELVES become more aware of our current responses to stressful situations and monitor those for signs of violence. As we do so, we must be educated to understand that some behavior patterns are unacceptable. In view- ing ourselves we will become more aware of the responses of those When I read one of the accounts of John Daly’s assault of his wife, it stated that she said her husband “just totally lost it”. Why is it acceptable for a man to “lose it”? This idea that losing control is OK between partners must be changed. If a man remains in con- trol while at work and at leisure, why is it OK to lose control with his wife and family’ It is not! It is totally unaccept- able! Loss of control also gives some the impression that the behavior is excusable, No! No! No! There Bes no excuse for hitting another pers: have to stop recdgtiaitls aggressive and violent explosions as things that males do. These attitudes are sexist and simply perpetuate violence within our society. Somehow our society must come up with a method of treating perpe- trators in a non-threatening way. A supportive environment for successful treatment must be fos- tered. It must be an environment where the man can overcome his fears and insecurities so that he can be comfortable enough with himself to find within himself the power to heal both this body and mind. We, as society at large, must rec- ognize this problem, confront it head on but try to demonstrate com- passion and empathy for both vic- tims and offenders in order to pro- ae successful treatment of batter- e Fea free to contact Jacie in confidence by directing letters to her attention at Halton Hills This Week. All correspondence will remain confidential. Jacie can be reached in person through the Distress Centre at 877-1211. Letters Welcomed Halton Hills This Week wel- comes your letters. Letters must be signed and include your full name and address. Names will be with- held on request. Halton Hills This Week reserves the right to edit, revise, or reject any letters on the basis of factual errors, punctuation, spelling errors or as a result of space limitations. Send your letter to: The Editor Halton Hills This Week 232 Guelph St., Unit 9 Georgetown, ON L7G 4B1