Here is a story about the rise of domestic violence in Iraq. There have also been many reports about the rise in prostitution and sex trafficking during the invasion. It may seem pretty obvious, but why isn't the link between the military and gender violence explored more? Why is the formation of hegemonic masculinity within the military so important?

Perhaps the pantomine masculinity created within the armed forces is the only way to turn (mostly) young men into trained killers. Women are the traditional nuturers and carers and men the protectors, so when attempting to normalise what is essentially murder it is neccessary to create a hyper-masculinity that creates soldiers. But how does it spread to the domestic population? and why is it not addressed in military training?

If you are a) a prostitute or b) a woman, do not go out alone, do not wear revealing clothes, do not drink, do not talk back and do not have sexual relationships.

This is apparently the only way for women to protect themselves from rape, murder or domestic violence. There's a great piece in the guardian today about curfew's placed on women during gender based violence sprees. The language of curfews places the blame on the women's shoulders, it is her fault she was murdered, it was her fault she was raped. How about-for once-the advice was- "Men, don't go out".

It is not our fault we may be attacked, it is not our fault we may be raped and beaten in our own homes, it is the perpetrators choice and therefore always their fault. For people who say that there is no need for feminism, ask yourself-why then, are men's lives and behaviours not restricted? For as much as all women should fear attack, all men should fear doing it.