Click on picture of letter to read it.
NCFM NOTE: After numerous media reports exploiting the Jovan Belcher murder/suicide as a “domestic violence” incident we felt it necessary to send a letter to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Various women groups used this horrendous family failure to promote their own interests including at least one that volunteered to work with the Chiefs to prevent such things in the future. We thought it might be more productive if an organization for men, that is an organization that works with men, one that better understands their needs, helped. Hence our letter.
Here’s an example of the shameful exploitation of this incident to promote passage of the Violence Against Women Act, which by the way, if reauthorized would do nothing to prevent murder/suicide. “MSNBC contributor Karen Finney used the Jovan Belcher murder-suicide to attack Republicans. Finney stated that the Belcher tragedy couldn’t be separated from “the Republicans in Congress who essentially are sending a message that it’s OK to beat up certain kinds of women.”
People who make such statements are ignorant and know nothing about VAWA or the reasons its passage is stalled in Congress. The deaths of these two young people had nothing to do with Republicans, Democrats, or VAWA. If anything VAWA may have indirectly contributed to the deaths by deliberately denying much needed support services to men. And, to assert that any Congresssman thinks that it’s Ok to beat up anyone is absolutely absurd.We trust the Chiefs are not susceptible to such ridiculous pandering.
Others tried to turn these deaths into a control issue, including Bob Costas. Amazing.
____________________________________
December 10, 2012
Scott Pioli
General ManagerKansas City Chiefs
The University Of Kansas Hospital Training Complex
One Arrowhead Drive
Kansas City, MO 64129
Dear Mr. Pioli,
The deaths of Jovan Belcher and Kassandra Perkins are truly tragic. The National Coalition For Men offer our sincere condolences to the families, team members and others associated with Kansas City Chiefs.
Unfortunately, it appears the media and some political factions have exploited this tragedy as a “domestic violence” incident rather than a mental health issue. To be clear, happy and healthy people don’t wake up one morning having decided to commit murder/suicide. Men under distress have an especially hard time reaching out.
There are few or no support services for men in Kansas City or elsewhere. Virtually all resources go to programs for women. This lopsided social/political dynamic contributes to deaths like Jovan’s and Kassandra’s. It is well known that males complete suicide more than four times more frequently than do females. The rate is higher for men in Jovan’s situation. Suicide is the 7th leading cause of death for men in the United States. We ask that the Kansas City Chiefs join us in our efforts by officially recognizing the need for support services for men in distress.
Additionally, we would like to offer our assistance in working with the Kansas City Chiefs in developing a program specifically for professional athletes. Please consider that we are a men’s rights organization specializing in helping men, their families, and the women who love them; that is, most of us.
No child should lose their parents to murder/suicide. If together we can prevent one more tragedy our efforts will be worth the effort.
Sincerely,
Harry Crouch
President
Great info. Lucky me I ran across your website by chance (stumbleupon). I’ve book-marked it for later!
Excellent letter. The tone was sincere and respectful, and it offers concrete solutions and resources. Many times I find the tenor many NCFM letters to be one of bitterness and hostility. Not this one. It’s unfortunate that so many men find themselves distressed to the point of committing violence. I winced while watching the latest shooting at the Conneticut elementary by yet another distressed male. The letter mentions how suicide is the 7th leading cause of death for men. At what point, does our society address this massive health issue?