A Dundee women’s group has branded claims that kebabs could help cut domestic violence as “farcical”.
Dundee Women’s Aid said that the claim made at a council meeting to decide whether to allow a takeaway to stay open until the early hours was “ludicrous” and could make victims of domestic violence more reluctant to come forward.
Solicitor Janet Hood had told the city’s licensing committee that eating a kebab from Khans, Broughty Ferry, after a night in the pub would help put people to sleep meaning they would be less likely to attack their partners.
Mary Miller, manager of Dundee Women’s Aid, rounded on the claims.
She said: “I find it ludicrous I just can’t believe that someone would make that argument. It is simply farcical.
“Domestic abuse is about the power and control of one person over another and we have to hold perpetrators to account.”
Mrs Hood argued that it was scientific fact that eating high-fat foods makes people sleepy and could cut down on domestic violence.
But Mrs Miller, whose group celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, said that the claims were baseless and could make it less likely for the victims of abuse to come forward.
“Lots of people get drunk but don’t get violent, and I just don’t see a link between eating and cutting domestic violence,” she said.
“It is trivialising what some women go through. Women are told it is their fault if they are abused, that no one will believe them if they tell people.
“Arguments like this make it even harder for women to come forward.
“We are in our 40th anniversary year and we are needed as much now as we were when we were founded,” she added.
Mrs Hood’s arguments, which she is understood to continue to defend, convinced councillors on the committee to grant the late licence to Khans in Brook Street.
It will now be able to stay open till 2am on weekdays and 2.30am at weekends.
Tory MSP Alex Johnstone also hit out at the remarks.
He said: “If this incredible logic was accepted would the NHS suddenly have to prescribe doner kebabs to people with a history of domestic abuse?
“Would not having access to a chicken shish suddenly become a legitimate plea of mitigation in our courtrooms for someone battering their wife?”
Khans was one of dozens of takeaways to be granted a later licence, after members agreed a number of changes to their policy on late-night food openings outwith the city centre.
Convener Stewart Hunter argued that supermarkets, petrol stations and drive-throughs should be exempt, as should premises that currently have a later licence.
He also added that premises outwith the city centre should be able to open until half-an-hour after the closing of the nearest pub.