No, not all dogs are violent. No, not all dogs attack other dogs. No, not all dogs hate cats. No, not all dogs run away from their owners and embarrass them in the park. No, not all dogs break into the biscuit cupboard overnight, consume what they can, and excrete it out all over the downstairs floor. Not all dogs.

It is a shared societal assumption that the actions of one rogue canine does not represent the whole pack. So why is it difficult for a small but vocal minority to apply the same logic to men?

The Not All Men response, used in nearly every discussion on abuse or male violence on The Gazette's Facebook page in recent days, dangerously silences victims and distracts from the issue.

It also embarrasses men who are secure enough to discuss problems without feeling personally affronted.

It's time that some - not all - dogs start to learn some new tricks.

Katie French, Editor