Quick question: In a hetersexual relationship, who's more likely to use violence — the man or the woman?

Research seems to show that both are equally as likely to be the victims of domestic violence, though it appears women are more likely to get hurt and men are less likely to report it if they are attacked. One group even claims that women are the bigger perpetrator.

And that organization, the National Coalition For Men's Los Angeles chapter, is angry that Verizon is characterizing the members of the male species as the only bad guy in relationships:

On Saturday at 2 p.m. the coalition will stage a protest (PDF) against the wireless carrier at its Santa Monica location (2530 Wilshire Blvd.).


View Larger Map

They don't like a series of spots unveiled in fall by the Verizon Foundation and the National Domestic Violence Hotline that depicts the father of a home as an ogre.

It calls them “anti-father ads that depict all domestic violence as committed by men and fathers against women …” The group says the spots leave “male victims and their children invisible as usual.”

The group calls them “sexist” spots and has asked Verizon to drop them (to no avail).

The coalition even once successfully sued the state of California, it says, to ensure that statutory, anti-domestic violence funds are equally targeted at male victims.

These guys blame political correctness for the widespread view of the spouse-beater as a dude:

When children witness either parent hit the other, regardless of how severe or minor, it becomes a model for them to follow. Domestic violence is an intergenerational cycle, and we'll never stop that cycle without being honest about it rather than covering up half of it out of political correctness.

Because guys never any commit crimes.

[@dennisjromero/djromero@laweekly.com/@LAWeeklyNews]

Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. Thank you for supporting LA Weekly and our advertisers.