Under Pressure from Male Activists

August 15, 2007

Abused children may become the latest casualty in the battle of the sexes. On August 15, 2007, male activists pressured the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (MSPCC) to pull their evocative public service announcement that featured a ten year old afraid of a violent father. Fathers groups condemned this ad, and thanked the MSPCC in advance for pulling it, on behalf of children.

What?

The purpose of the ad was to raise awareness among the public about the horrors of child abuse. How does it help children if we hide the fact that the largest percentage of sexual abusers are close male relatives? How does it help children if we put our own needs above the needs of children and worry about how we are offended? Should women’s groups cry “foul” if a woman is used in an ad dramatizing harm to unborn children from prenatal drug use? Until the public understands that anyone can be a victim and anyone can be a perpetrator, no child will be safe. We sincerely hope the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children will not buckle to this pressure from a group who clearly considers keeping their image pure, more important than saving children’s lives. How ironic if an ad about the fear instilled in a victim by an aggressive father, is pulled in fear due to the bullying tactics of vocal fathers afraid their image has been tarnished. loving fathers should care more about protecting children from violence than protecting their gender.

Paul Fink, MD., President

Leadership Council on Child Abuse & Interpersonal Violence

Past president, American Psychiatric Association

The ad can be found at:

http://www.youtube.com/user/andywhistler

You can write to MSPCC at: [email protected]