Domestic violence is not a gender issue

THE Labour Party’s women and equality officer Kirsi Hanifin (Irish Examiner letters, January 20) takes me to task for stating (Letters, January 16) that domestic violence is not a gender issue.

Ms Hanifin’s stance is diametrically opposed to that of Erin Pizzey, who opened the first shelter for victims in London in 1971.

Ms Pizzey has written two books on the subject, Scream Quietly Or The Neighbours Will Hear, and Prone To Violence. She states unequivocally that domestic violence is not a gender issue.