Abused Statistics

IT DID not take long for advocacy groups and some commentators to claim that the O. J. Simpson case could do for domestic violence what Anita Hill did for sexual harassment. If the Anita Hill analogy refers to gender politics eclipsing truth, common sense, and journalistic skepticism, then that is exactly what’s happening.

We are barraged with horrendous figures. CNN’s Sheryl Potts said at the end of a 3.5-minute segment on wifeabuse, “While you were watching this, 13 women were severely beaten by someone who claims to love them” (i.e., one every 15 seconds). According to the Associated Press, “4 million to 6 million women are beaten [each year]. That means once every 5 seconds … a woman is punched or kicked … or held down and pummeled.” On Crossfire, Miami radio talk-show host Pat Stevens upped the count to 60 million by reasoning that “there are 6 million reported cases,” and “the FBI estimates” that only 1 in 10 is reported. This went unchallenged.

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Cathy Young

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IT DID not take long for advocacy groups and some commentators to claim that the O. J. Simpson case could do for domestic violence what Anita Hill did for sexual harassment. If the Anita Hill analogy refers to gender politics eclipsing truth, common sense, and journalistic skepticism, then that is exactly what’s happening.

We are barraged with horrendous figures. CNN’s Sheryl Potts said at the end of a 3.5-minute segment on wifeabuse, “While you were watching this, 13 women were severely beaten by someone who claims to love them” (i.e., one every 15 seconds). According to the Associated Press, “4 million to 6 million women are beaten [each year]. That means once every 5 seconds … a woman is punched or kicked … or held down and pummeled.” On Crossfire, Miami radio talk-show host Pat Stevens upped the count to 60 million by reasoning that “there are 6 million reported cases,” and “the FBI estimates” that only 1 in 10 is reported. This went unchallenged.