Another piece for the ‘You couldn’t make this s*** up’ file. The start of the piece:

Maria Miller, the Conservative MP and former culture secretary, has revealed she has been sexually harassed “numerous times” and believes it happens regularly to women in the workplace.

Miller, who chairs the House of Commons women and equalities committee, spoke out as part of a campaign by 5 News called That’s Harassment, highlighting everyday sexual harassment.

Asked whether she had personally experienced it, Miller said: “Sexual harassment – of course, we all have.”

All women have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace. A recent study by feminist sociologists at Leighton Buzzard University concluded that most working women are raped at least three times before their morning coffee break.

Excellent.

People who are aware of my extreme aversion to physical exercise may be surprised to learn I’ve been thinking of taking up Tai Chi for a time. A day or two ago I contacted a venue in my home town, which offers classes. I’ve just had an email pointing me to a Daily Telegraph article, Tai Chi named as perfect exercise for the elderly. I fail to see the relevance to me, as I’m still two months away from my 60th birthday. I’m a strong believer in medical progress, and consider myself barely middle-aged.

I’ve just received an email with the following content:

Hi, I thought you might be interested in a documentary I have begun a Kickstarter campaign for, The Other Half – The Hidden Story of Domestic Violence Towards Men – here.

I’m seeking support for this much needed film that will break the silence and stigma involved with such a taboo subject regarding men.

Facebook page here.

Youtube fundraising video here.

Also of interest my previous award-winning documentary, Esteem – The Power of Vulnerability tells a personal journey from abuse, depression, self-harm and addiction to finding one’s self-esteem, a film that reflects the abuse into the way we also treat nature.
Trailer here.

All our work can be found here.

Sincerely

Peter Charles Downey
Director, Producer, Music Composer

A tip of the hat to Angelo for this.

Our thanks to Bryn for this. An extract:

Recorder Boothby dismissed calls to withhold a custodial sentence and condemned both defendants.

He said: “Here you are preying on a 70-year-old man and bringing unsavoury characters into his house.

“Not content with the warning from the eviction, you then bully another vulnerable person for your useless lifestyle.

“I am not distinguishing between the two of you and I am afraid [J4MB emphasis – WHY was Recorder Boothby ‘afraid’?] you must go to prison.”

Our thanks to the estimable Jordan Holbrook for this.

A tip of the hat to Swayne for this.

Our thanks to Mike P for this.

[Note added 12.10.17: This blog piece is being repeated because the price of tickets is being raised from £11.21 to £15.00 on Sunday, 15 October, and may later be raised to £20.00 or £25.00.]

I’m pleased to publicise two things happening on the afternoon / evening of International Men’s Day, 19 November. The first is the Men’s March, starting at 12:00 in Trafalgar Square, London. The second is Messages for Men, a conference from 15:00 – 20:00, at a London location yet to be announced. The nine speakers include Neil Lyndon, Belinda Brown and myself.

A list of the speakers, and a link to the ticket ordering page (tickets cost a very reasonable £11.21) are here. Belinda will also be speaking at ICMI18, 12 of the 15 speakers have so far been announced – here. I hope to see you at both the march and the conference. It promises to be a great day.