Once again, an example of how father abuse is written out of the headlines. This was not a random man who beat this two-year-old girl with a belt for having saggy diapers (!). It was her father. But you have to actually read the article to know that. By contrast, abusive mothers are nearly always identified as mothers. And even girlfriends and steps are often misidentified as mothers.
Are we really surprised that Daddy JEROME ADAIR is also in trouble for punching another woman, not the child's mother? Or that he pushed the child's mother for trying to stop the child abuse? Domestic violence and child abuse go hand in hand.
http://www.wreg.com/news/wreg-dad-accused-of-belt-beating,0,2026106.story
Man Accused of using Extreme Measures to Discipline Toddler
Staff Writer
FAST FACTS:
Police arrested Jerome Adair
Woman says Adair beat their two-year old with a belt
Police say Adair also had outstanding warrants
tom.powell@wreg.com
twitter.com/tompowell3
(MEMPHIS 9/15/2010) -- Police responded to a domestic violence call Wednesday on Peach Avenue, where a two-year-old's mother says the child's father used extreme measures to discipline their daughter.
The woman told police Jerome Adair lost it after the toddler's diaper fell off while playing in a puddle.
The mother says Adair started whooping the girl with a belt outside, then he took her inside to a bedroom where he held her upside down and continued to whip her with the belt.
The woman also says Adair pushed her when she tried to get him to stop hitting their daughter.
Police say they arrested Adair to keep the offense from continuing and because he had five active misdemeanor warrants.
Adair is locked up at 201 Poplar on a $28,250 bond. He faces several charges including Domestic Assault and Contempt of Juvenile Court.
According to court documents, Adair is scheduled to appear in court Thursday for a domestic assault case where he's accused of punching another woman.
Advocates for victim's of domestic violence say more attention and resources need to be devoted to help shelter, educate and protect women in Shelby county.
Barbara King is the Executive Director of the Exchange Club, a family center where the goal is to end the cycle of abuse.
She says assaults, like the one reported Wednesday, are far too common. She says Shelby County accounts for one fourth of the total number of domestic assault and child abuse cases in Tennessee.
The Memphis Police Department Incident Database shows officers responded to more than 50 domestic assault calls since Monday. They respond to thousands every month.
King says you should also consider that experts estimate only one fifth of all domestic violence cases are ever reported.
If you or someone you know is in a violent relationship, call The Exchange Club at 276-2200.