Discussion List for campus-based and allied personnel working to end gender-based violence on campus.

[Ben Atherton-Zeman <>]

(breaking news – please forward to media outlets, etc.)

 

“Headlines are dominated by General David Petraeus and General John Allen.  Petraeus had an affair with his biographer – both have been connected to Tampa socialite Jill Kelley.

 

CBS News reports that both generals also know Kelley’s twin sister, Natalie Khawam.  http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-250_162-57549142/petraeus-allen-sided-with-jill-kelleys-sister-in-child-custody-battle/?tag=contentMain;contentBody  Two months ago, both generals submitted affidavits in support of Khawam’s custody proceedings, as did Mrs. Petraeus.  Previous custody hearings had deemed Khawam an unfit mother. 

 

According to the New York Post, a previous custody judge “blasted Khawam for giving false evidence.”  http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/twisted_sister_wPCTY0kcH9xu9DPh8RN7yL  This Post piece is entitled “Petraeus helps whistleblower’s ‘unstable’ twin in nasty custody fight,” and begins with “Gen. David Petraeus sure loved helping his lady friends.”  Other media coverage echoes this emphasis on yet another potential impropriety on the part of the generals – some have even compared the sisters to the Khardashians http://www.nationalledger.com/politics-crime/jill-kelley-scandal-snares-twin-236199.shtml#.UKUxnYYzySo.  As of yet, no articles have been written about the possibility that Ms. Khawam is truly a victim of domestic violence. 

 

Domestic violence should not be the punch line of jokes and snide articles; it should be taken seriously and prioritized.   One in every four U.S. women will experience domestic violence in their lifetime.    Most battered women never tell the police – many blame themselves and never tell anyone.  http://www.ncadv.org/files/DomesticViolenceFactSheet%28National%29.pdf  Victims that reveal what happened are often disbelieved by friends, family, police – and judges.

 

The stereotype that battered women lie about being abused is all too common.  But court transcripts reveal that, far from lying, Khawam wasn’t even permitted to bring up allegations of abuse during the court proceedings.   Indeed, she was threatened with losing custody and visitation if she didn’t drop criminal charges against her child’s father...”

 

See full article at http://www.voicesofmen.org/general-petraeus-and-general-allen---helping-a-domestic-violence-victim.html

 

Ben Atherton-Zeman: Feminist, actor, husband

Performing a one-man play “Voices of Men,” working to end sexual and domestic violence

Video clips available at http://www.voicesofmen.org