Mitigating the risk of stupidity

Neil Reid at the Sunday News reports:

A REPORT into the risk of domestic violence during the Rugby World Cup has included recommendations for women-only spaces at the tournament’s 13 match venues.

It also proposes subsidised-fare taxis be provided for women at games on their own or who are unable to ensure they can return home safely.

My first reaction upon reading this story was that whatever Government agency produced this report obviously has too much time on their hands.

The report – Mitigating the Risk of Men’s Violence against Women Increasing During the Rugby World Cup 2011 – is being sent to RWC officials and sponsors.

It is written by women’s issues advocate Debbie Hager, from the Homeworks Trust, and Diane Woolson Neville, from family violence prevention project Te Rito Rodney.

I was relieved to read on and find out that it is just a couple of zealots, and the report has no official status at all.

It is true that there are some studies that suggest an increase in domestic violence after a rugby loss. But the violence does not happen at the rugby grounds – it occurs in pubs and bars or at homes. So the so called soution of “women-only” space at RWC games is stupid – plus of course would make us look an international laughing stock.