LETTER: Don’t use abuse as humor

Editor,

After all of the events sponsored by SAAVI (Sexual Assault and Anti-Violence Information) that have addressed the problem of dating and domestic violence, I was utterly dismayed to read “Meehan Streak” on the “Funny Page” of The Statesman on Monday. The strip addressed inter-gender relationships and featured a man saying, “Treat ’em mean and keep ’em keen.” Although I would like to believe that the people who wrote and published the piece find domestic and dating violence neither funny nor appropriate, these words indicate otherwise. Perhaps we do not all realize the grave problem that domestic violence presents in the United States, as the leading cause of injury to women. Perhaps some are unaware that more than 5,000 women sought shelter from domestic abuse in Utah in 2000.

Just last week, 10 women from CAPSA (Community Abuse Prevention Services Agency) had the courage and strength to perform songs and dances that they have written as they heal from domestic abuse. I thank them for their effort to educate our campus. The Clothesline Project was also displayed last week. The T-shirts there provided another forum for survivors to express themselves. Speaking out about abuse is difficult and potentially dangerous. I applaud anyone who finds the courage to do so and I hope that the use of violence and abuse as a form of humor or other entertainment does not discourage anyone from raising her voice and telling her story.

Melissa Bowles