Some persons find it incomprehensible that a woman would maim or murder her husband or boyfriend.

That thought may have crossed the minds of the persons who watched in horror as Debi Olson repeatedly stabbed her ex-husband, Mauricio Droguett at a Des Moines, Iowa shopping mall. Olson was charged with first-degree murder for the July 3, 2008 attack. "It's a classic case of rage, of hate for someone - it's very personal," explained Capt. David Struckman. "She definitely stalked this man."

Two weeks later, Cynthia McKay, 52, was sentenced to 30 years in prison for the gruesome murder and burning of her boyfriend Anthony Fertitta of Millersville, Maryland. One prosecutor described McKay as "the most devious defendant this court will come across."

And on August 1, Tomasz Matczak of Issaquah, Wash. died of a single stab wound to his chest. The assailant, his 19-year-old girlfriend, openly admitted to the deed.

In all of these cases, early intervention might have averted the tragedy. But where were these men supposed to turn?

All around the country abuse shelters have been established to help persons battered by partner violence. But with a handful of exceptions, these shelters maintain a strict "Men Not Welcome" policy.

Some openly advertise their gender-exclusion policy. Guys, if you live in the Chicago area, here are your options: Women's Counseling Center, Sarah's Inn, Latin Women in Action, or the YWCA.

And if Hillary ever lays cougar-tracks on your face again, Bill, you can turn to My Sister's Place or the Westchester County Office for Women. I'm sure they'd be happy to help.

Other shelters are more discriminating in their manner of discrimination. They wait until a man in dire straits actually arrives on the premises.

A former employee of the Another Way shelter in Lake City, Fla., shared this account:

"Around November or December 2007, a man came into the office. He was crying, and his arms were bruised, seeking assistance," the woman revealed. The intake worker "took him into her office. Then to my amazement I heard her tell him that Another Way doesn't provide services or assistance for men. My heart went out to this man because it was evident that he was truly a victim of domestic violence."

The appalled woman wrote, "This is discrimination and violating men's rights. There are men with children that are being victimized. It takes courage for men to come forward and admit they are victims. Then when they do, we revictimize them all over again."

So how do abuse shelters get away with these shameful practices?

Some shelters insist they provide equivalent services to men, like giving them a voucher at a local hotel. What have these people been smoking -- do they really believe a hotel stay would have protected Mauricio Droguett, Anthony Fertitta, and Tomasz Matczak from their vindictive assailants?

But the most common reason is simple: battered men don't make the cut. As the head of Rainbow Services in southern California once explained, "We have limited resources and it's all we can do to try and keep up with the demand for services for women and children."

That's a hoot! Here's the dirty little secret of the multi-million dollar shelter industry: the great majority of women in so-called "abuse" shelters have never been battered or suffered physical harm at the hands of their abuser.

A woman who volunteered at the YWCA Crisis Center in Enid, Okla. for three years revealed, "In all of that time, there was one woman admitted who I was sure had been severely physically abused. The rest of the women and kids who came and went were playing the system to the hilt!"

That's right, most shelter residents have perfected the art of bamboozling the system, knowing that being certified as a battered woman entitles you to oodles of government hand-outs!

But wait, there's more to the story!

Some of these same shelters that turn away battered men are now telling their "abused" women, "And remember to bring Fido!"

That's right, the American Humane Society has recently launched its "PAWS" program - Pets and Women's Shelters, get it?

So gals, if you need a place to dry out and want to take along your pooch, go to the Center for Abuse and Rape Emergencies in the Tampa Bay area. The dedicated C.A.R.E. staff has established a "foster pet parenting program" just for you!

Or head over to Quigley House in Orange Park -- they have a kennel right on shelter grounds. Its canine center features a dog bathing area, benches to accommodate family visits, and of course a waste containment station.

So men, if Quigley House can't help you with your rolling pin-wielding wife, rest assured that at least Rover will be well-fed and well-bathed.
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Carey Roberts has been published frequently in the Washington Times, Townhall.com, LewRockwell.com, ifeminists.net, Intellectual Conservative, and elsewhere. He is a staff reporter for the New Media Alliance.