Also, that this type of story is so common – a woman who simply has nowhere to go, and very few financial resources, even if she has all the courage in the world. There can be huge barriers to just leaving. And the act of leaving can?

My Mum has worked as a Refuge volunteer for over thirty years in a pretty desperate part of the country. They – the volunteers – know these stories but of course they can't tell them. I'm pleased that somebody can.?

It's frightening how much of this goes on.

Bingo anyone ?

Part of growing up for me was really wanting to understand how this could have happened. My mother is a very smart, strong woman. I think the most important thing to realise is that it's never bad all the time. Sometimes it's lovely – I hate to be?

They – the volunteers – know these stories but of course they can't tell them

But the victims themselves can, and the Refuge newsletter (which is terrific) regularly features them. The ones published to date are collected here.

The Women's Refuge Appeal is collecting on the 24th and 25th of July. But you can slip them a twenty via their website right now. It's something you can do, and it's easy.

Just done it. Sure is easy, everybody should try.
Pity we can't fix the s***s who do?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DscnZ5b1jQw

She has a nice riposte to Jane Clifton at the end as to why the hell would she shut up about domestic violence in the week before the Women's Refuge appeal.

But the victims themselves can, and the Refuge newsletter (which is terrific) regularly features them. The ones published to date are collected here.

My girls have been asking anxiously why I'm crying.

You know what kills me, before I even get to the stories? The 'Hide My Visit' button. Of course, but also... god. That's horrible.

That got me too, Danielle, and the detailed instructions on how to clear your cache. It speaks volumes.

Makes me remember my wife hasn't seen her?

I'm planning to get my shit back together some time before my kids get home from school.

Could you find mine and bring it back to me before everyone in my office wonders why I'm crying at my desk?

Emma, your mother must be proud to have such a compassionate, thoughtful and brave daughter.

Word.

And I wonder if your kids know how lucky they are.

It's encouraged me to make a donation on the Women's Refuge website – and I'm sure I'm not the only one.

Perhaps?

Well it's not my story.

the story is written in a way that asks the reader to imagine he or she is the woman in the story. no one said the story is about you. can you imagine? do you have empathy? if yes and yes, then there does not?

WTF, dude?

Yes, that was weird. Not least for the "you're still trying to escape from something" bit. Spectacular failure of understanding.

Well it's not my story

I think my acknowledgement of that was inherent where I said 'it's not your story'.

Would have had more impact if you'd actually said it was your story.

It's not my story. I am not 'you'.

Perhaps this pretense is evidence that you're still trying?

It's not my story.

It seemed, from other comments and your response to them, like this was your story. Until that, I figured it was a work of fiction, and now it seems that initial feeling was correct. (And this is, I think, why the story didn't really affect me.)?

It seemed, from other comments and your response to them, like this was your story. Until that, I figured it was a work of fiction, and now it seems that initial feeling was correct.

Dear Lord. Somebody write this man a diagram.

Morgan, I found the speculation about Emma's motivations offensive. It seemed to be an attempt to diminish the significance of the point she was making. Perhaps you didn't mean to, but that's how it came across to me.

Then I apologise.

My suggestion was only meant to be that if?

where was I offensive?

"Perhaps this pretense is evidence that you're still trying to escape from something."

well, that seems pretty offensive, prima facie.

There's really no need to be so hostile.

did someone call Craig?

Perhaps this pretense is evidence that you're still trying to escape from something.

I'm not sure Emma is, but your comment suggests to me that you are.

Then I apologise.

My suggestion was only meant to be that if she took ownership of the story (that I mistakenly thought was genuine) then it would have had more impact.

I didn't mean to piss on anyone.

I did come off that way, good to clarify and apologise.

Then I apologise.

My suggestion was only meant to be that if she took ownership of the story (that I mistakenly thought was genuine) then it would have had more impact.

I didn't mean to piss on anyone.

Oh go away with the passive aggression. An apology immediately followed with?

It's a story that's happening somewhere, though, right now. All the time.

The Women's Refuge Appeal is collecting on the 24th and 25th of July. But you can slip them a twenty via their website right now. It's something you can do, and it's easy.

Hear Hear! Can I just?

Dear Lord. Somebody write this man a diagram.

Comedy gold!

Thanks also for the heads-up about collection week – unfortunately, Refuges came along a bit late for my mother, but she managed to get herself out anyway.

I could do without the "nostalgic" family photo album viewings myself, though.

did someone call Craig?

Not the time. Not the place. Not cool.

Oh go away with the passive aggression. An apology immediately followed with suggestions about how to do things better. Good one.

You are mistaken.

Perhaps I will try to explain where I was coming from?

I don't know Emma either, but her piece certainly resonated with my own understanding of human nature. It's not clear to me if you're admitting to some kind of perceptual disability, or implying that all who responded positively to Emma's piece are somehow deluded.

Awesome. I knew I was wasting?

Awesome. I knew I was wasting my fucking breath.

Oh come on Morgan, my comment was posted in good faith. I know it was late, but if you must respond surely you can manage more than a hissy fit.

You describe a fellow counsellor whose "very direct talk" resulted in?

Morgan: you do get that Emma is the daughter in this story? Not the mother. Right?

And there goes the diagram.

Morgan has both apologised and tried to explain his misunderstanding.

Much as what he said was not good, I fail to see how further dragging over the coals is any use. With Emma's permission, perhaps we could return to the business at?

Kyle, that is entirely too sensible, and I must rebel against it. I am now compelled to tell you that I think you're full of shit. ;)

Perhaps this pretense is evidence that you're still trying to escape from something?

...

What, too soon?

On a personal note I was involved in the recent rebuild of the Christchurch?

When we bought our house 11 years?

Rape victims will be given sweeping new protections during trials, with planned rules requiring judges to agree before a complainant's sexual history can be raised in court.

Defendants accused of rape could also face a new test of consent meaning a woman would effectively?

Emma, I feel nothing for this women, or the score, hundreds?

Emma's post was pretty staight foward. Abuse of women by their partners is not uncommon, needs attention and readers could assist by donating to Refuge.

I didn't understand it to mean all men are bad, just that a number do some very?

what's your point exactly? Men are bad!

Let's pretend for a moment that you actually believe that's my point, despite the fact that it's not said or implied anywhere in the piece. If you have trouble believing that's not my secret agenda, perhaps you could pop off and read this?

Emma, I said these facts have been known in the scientific literature for decades, one of my ill-received points is, 'what's changed?' And further, if nothing's changed can we?

Do you understand that?

...

As for the fictional women you've plausibly created, I have a question for her: "Are you insane, leave!"

I'll take that as a 'no' then.

Also, considering the rest of your comment ignored everything I said, I'll leave you to have this conversation by yourself.?

If the problem of men assaulting women and children was not still a current one in New Zealand, do you seriously?

"And further, if nothing's changed, can we make IT better; no!"

O, but we are slowly making it better here in ANZ: the police no longer ignore a 'domestic'; people no longer give?

Damned out of his own keyboard.

Thank you Paul, if you were ever more ashamed of your own sex I think perhaps re-orientation might be called for.

What a laughable retort Rob. If anything, an unwarranted attack first on Emma and then all of women... that might suggest you're a little lacking in confidence?

Damned out?

Rad.

What a smug little trolly troll the van Bakel is-

So, time to stop walking back and forth over his bridge in the pork chop coat?

So, time to stop walking back and forth over his bridge in the pork chop coat?

Troll-provoking hussy. Refuge appeal was last week. Get back to your kitchen, put ypur pinny on.

I demand a lower-resolution image!

The warning that came too late...

I demand a lower-resolution image!

Here you go. And look, there's even a nice halal thong.

Troll-provoking hussy. Refuge appeal was last week. Get back to your kitchen, put ypur pinny on.

Joe: If that's directed at me, thank you, sir. If you're suggesting I'm getting into that bullshit with Emma — oh, granny knickers.

Joe: If that's directed at me, thank you, sir. If you're suggesting I'm getting into that bullshit with Emma . . .

To save you the trouble of guessing again, your image of the pork chop coat sparked a little Monday morning free association. I did wonder, though, if something?

The appeal's on again this year, folks.

http://www.womensrefuge.org.nz/