violence against women lists

[Robbie Gilligan <rgillign@xxxxxx>]

Further to this query from Lisa Fontes, my colleague Ruth Torode has kindly
alerted me to the discussion group FIVERS  which started in 1996 and
includes  people  involved in service provision, academics, activists
andsurvivors.  Current list address  is fivers@yahoogroups.com.  Below is
the original statement for the group, courtesy of Ruth
Robbie Gilligan




<<FIVERS stands for:

Feminists against
Intimate
Violence through
Empowerment, Energizing, Education, Exchange
Resources, Resistance, Research AND
Support.

FIVERS is an e-mail discussion list that focuses on all aspects of intimate
abuse and examines the phenomena from a feminist perspective. Different list
members may look to FIVERS to fulfill a variety of needs. Therefore, even
the acronym FIVERS represents the diverse needs of the group members. While
it is not necessary for you to identify yourself as a feminist to join this
list, we do agree on the following premises;

1) All acts of physical violence in intimate relationships are wrong,
except in cases of self-defense.  We recognize that non-physical abuse can
be profoundly damaging to individuals and we welcome discussion of these
issues.

2) Historical and institutional practices, as well as cultural attitudes
(sometimes referred to as patriarchal) that condone violence against women
and children are major factors in society's failure to end partner abuse,
dating violence, and rape.  These factors also contribute to the high
incidence of child abuse and incest because they promote the view that
children belong to their parents and are not independent individuals.

The FIVERs are a diverse group of women and men from many countries.
Some of us are survivors; others are not. All of us are dedicated to
building a peaceful, just and non-violent world.  FIVERS seeks to provide a
forum for the free and open discussion of all aspects of these issues in a
thoughtful, safe and respectful environment.

Robbie Gilligan
Director
Children's Research Centre
University of Dublin - Trinity College
Dublin, 2
Ireland

email: 	Robbie.Gilligan@tcd.ie
WWW:	http://www.tcd.ie/Childrens_Centre/fax:	+353 - 1- 608 2347

also Senior Lecturer in Social Work, Dept of Social Studies,  Trinity
College, Dublin 2, Ireland
WWW: http://www.tcd.ie/Social_Studies/rgillig.htm