[mkirkpatrick]

Thanks Elizabeth,in my opinion,nobody deserves to be beaten,in myexperience I have met many woman who have been battered and beaten by men,many of the men were
gutless cowards if challenged by someone their own size.There was a "womans refuge"
nearby where I used to work,all the woman and children in there were seeking sanctuary
from their violent and abusive husbands and partners.Many would leave to go back home,
only to return a few days later with a black eye!These woman would often defend their
abusive partners,not reporting them to the police etc,Men were not allowed into the refuge
however I ran a barbecue in the hostel that I ran,andinvited all the women and their kids
to come along,it was Nov5th and firework night,we ran a raffle,which some of the ladies
won,thosewhocould not collect their prizes that night,I decided to take to the refuge the
following day,when i knocked on the door,a staff member opened it and asked me whati wanted!i said that I had some prizes.and could I leave them inside,she was very reluctant
to let me do this,I did however manage to enter and leave the prizes,i looked around
the room to see frightened mothers holding their children,scared of thisman in the house!!


regards michael.