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Engaging Men & Boys in Family Violence Prevention
This edition of the National Clearinghouse on Family Violence (NCFV) E-bulletin focuses on engaging men and boys in the prevention of family violence. We highlight current efforts in communities across Canada and around the world working to involve men - as fathers, friends, educators, coaches and leaders - to play an active role in addressing gender-based violence and promoting healthy, equal relationships.
The NCFV E-bulletin is a quarterly newsletter for those interested in family violence prevention. It is produced by PHAC, on behalf of the Family Violence Initiative (FVI) of the Government of Canada.
We want to hear from you – please send your comments and feedback to our editor at: ncfv-cnivf@phac-aspc.gc.ca.
Men’s Perspectives on Violence Against Women
There are encouraging research findings about men’s recognition of their role in addressing violence against women and their perspectives on efforts by institutions and groups to address it. For example, a national poll1 in Canada showed that:
- Sixty-six percent of Canadian men feel that men are not doing enough to address the problem of violence against women in Canada.
- The vast majority of men support tough enforcement of existing laws; seventy-five percent say rigorously enforcing existing laws should be a high priority.
- Sixty-nine percent of men say that programs targeted towards school-aged boys about ending violence toward women and promoting healthy relationships should be a high priority.
- A majority of men (62%) say that raising the awareness of men regarding the need to take a stand against violence towards women should be a high priority.
- Men also support increasing funding to women’s groups and facilities addressing violence against women, with 45% saying it is a high priority and 42% saying it is a medium priority.
In the U.S, a national survey2 showed that:
- Nearly all men (88%) agree that society should do more to respect women and girls.
- Most men say that many institutions should be doing more to raise awareness and address domestic violence and sexual assault: the entertainment industry (83%), lawmakers (78%), the sports industry (72%), schools (68%), colleges and universities (67%), news media (65%) and employers (61%).
- Fifty-seven percent of men believe that they can make a difference in preventing domestic violence and sexual assault, and 73% of men think they can make some difference in promoting healthy, respectful, non-violent relationships among young people.
- Sixty-eight percent of fathers have talked to their sons about the importance of healthy, violence-free relationships.
1. Addressing Violence Against Women, Environics, 2002
2. Father's Day Poll 2007, Peter D. Hart Research Associates, Inc.
Increasing Public Awareness about the Role of Men in Preventing Violence
There is a growing emphasis in Canada and in other countries on the importance of engaging men and boys in addressing violence against women. To increase awareness and encourage changes in attitudes and behaviours, some governments and organizations have introduced violence prevention campaigns that focus on the role of men in educating boys about gender equality and healthy relationships.
For example, Newfoundland and Labrador's Violence Prevention Initiative launched a multi-media campaign that encourages men to teach the boys in their lives about showing respect, fairness and equality towards women. The Respect Women campaign consists of posters, print and television ads, as well as a respectwomen.ca website. It positions men as role models who can deliver positive messages to their sons, grandsons, nephews and younger brothers. Key messages include that:
- men have a responsibility to nurture and shape the beliefs, attitudes and values of boys, and
- violence against women, in any form, is unacceptable.
Similar messages are promoted through "It Starts With You. It Stays With Him", an online-based, social media campaign developed by the White Ribbon Campaign and Le Centre ontarien de prévention des agressions, a Francophone provincial training and consultation centre. The comprehensive website itstartswithyou.ca provides men - fathers, uncles, grandfathers, teachers, coaches - with tips, stories, links and resources to educate the boys around them about healthy relationships, sexism, homophobia and degrading language. Example messages include that:
- being a caring father means educating your son about healthy and equal relationships, and
- educators have a role to play in teaching boys the language of equality and fostering leadership in male students and colleagues.
In Ontario, the Kizhaay Anishinaabe Niin (“I Am a Kind Man”) community action campaign – designed for men and youth - engages Aboriginal men and boys through culturally informed messages. It is based on the premise that violence has never been an acceptable part of Aboriginal culture and the application of the Seven Grandfather Teachings. The iamakindman.ca website includes information about how to get involved as well as resource lists.
For additional campaigns organized by or aimed at men to prevent violence against women, please see:
- Coaching Boys into Men, a media campaign by the Family Violence Prevention Fund that encourages men to teach boys early, and teach them often, that violence never equals strength.
- Man Up, an international campaign that mobilizes young leaders in a movement to stop violence against women and girls.
- Network of Men Leaders, a new initiative of the United Nations campaign, UNiTE to End Violence against Women.
Coming Soon
- Directory of Services for Adult Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse
- Family Violence Initiative Performance Report For April 2004 - March 2008
- Directory of Services and Programs Addressing the Needs of Older Adult Victims of Violence in Canada
Library
The NCFV provides an extensive library reference collection, housed in the Health Canada Departmental Library. The following is a short-list of resources related to engaging men and boys in family violence prevention. A full bibliographic search can be conducted online. Resources may be borrowed through an interlibrary loan through your local public, academic or institutional library:
Engaging men and boys in changing gender-based inequity in health: Evidence from programme interventions
Gary Barker, Christine Ricardo and Marcos Nascimento
Geneva: World Health Organization; Produced in collaboration with Instituto Promundo, 2007
This resource is an assessment of the effectiveness of programmes seeking to engage men and boys in achieving gender equality and equity in health. Using 58 evaluation studies, the review analyses data from interventions in HIV prevention, treatment, care and support; fatherhood; gender-based violence; maternal, newborn and child health; and gender socialization.
Engaging Boys and Men in GBV Prevention and Reproductive Health in Conflict and Emergency-Response Settings: A Workshop Module
New York: The ACQUIRE Project (EngenderHealth), 2008
This workshop module is designed to build the skills of participants working to engage boys and men in gender-based violence (GBV) prevention and reproductive health. This module is for personnel working in conflict and other emergency-response settings, including those managing or staffing reproductive health, HIV and AIDS, and/or GBV prevention projects in emergency-response settings or conflict zones.
Engaging men and boys in preventing violence against women: Applying a cognitive-behavioral model
Claire V. Crooks, George R. Goodall, Ray Hughes, Peter G. Jaffe, Linda L. Baker
Violence Against Women 13, 3 (2007 ): 217-239 1
This article presents a paradigm for engaging nonviolent men to be an active part of violence prevention efforts. A tentative cognitive behavioral therapy based framework for conceptualizing some of the challenges and solutions is proposed. Three fundamental components
of a cognitive–behavioral therapy approach—goal setting, core beliefs and
strategies for change—are discussed and examples of promising initiatives are used to highlight these ideas.
Engaging Men: Strategies and Dilemmas in Violence Prevention Education Among Men
Michael Flood
Women Against Violence Journal 13 (2002-2003)
This article discusses the relationships between violence, the social construction of masculinity and gendered power relations. Australian community education campaigns are reviewed and five challenges for prevention programs directed at men are given.
10 things men can do to prevent gender violence
Jackson Katz
MVP Strategies, a gender violence prevention, education and training organization, 1999
This poster can be reprinted freely with credit. Also available in Spanish.
Introducing Dr. Michael Kaufman
Dr. Michael Kaufman is an educator, writer, consultant and trainer who focuses on innovative approaches to engaging men and boys in promoting gender equality and ending violence against women. He has worked extensively with the United Nations and with many organizations across Canada and in almost 50 countries.
He is the co-founder of the White Ribbon Campaign and author or editor of six books on gender issues, on democracy and development studies. His most recent publication, Man Talk: What every university guy oughta / gotta know about good relationships, is a booklet for young men on dating violence and creating healthy relationships. It is available for free or in customized versions for schools or organizations. Some of his other resources include:
- The AIM Framework: Addressing and Involving Men and Boys To Promote Gender Equality and End Gender Discrimination and Violence
- Successfully Involving Men and Boys to End Violence Against Women
- Cracking the Armour: Power Pain and the Lives of Men
Dr. Kaufman delivers speeches at conferences and conventions, conducts participatory workshops and training, helps organizations develop strategies to engage men and boys, and delivers programs to students and faculty in universities, colleges and high schools. He is known for his combination of stimulating analysis, story telling and humour. He recently presented at the 2009 Global Symposium on Engaging Men and Boys on Achieving Gender Equality in Rio de Janeiro, and was part of the organizing team for the First National Conference For Campus Based Men’s Gender Equality and Anti-Violence Groups, which took place on November 6-7, 2009, at Saint John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota.
For more information on Dr. Michael Kaufman, his speaking schedule, or to find out how he can work with your organization or institution, go to www.michaelkaufman.com.
The White Ribbon Campaign
The White Ribbon Campaign (WRC) is the largest effort in the world of men working to end violence against women. In over 60 countries, campaigns are led by both men and women, with a focus on educating men and boys. The campaign's white ribbon is a symbol of a man's pledge to never commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women.
WRC Canada is a non-profit organization focused on challenging men to speak out; educating young people through direct youth engagement; raising public awareness about gender-based violence; working in partnership with women’s organizations; and supporting campaigns around the globe to create a future without violence against women.
In order to reach boys, the WRC produces posters and educational kits that are being used in thousands of schools across Canada and the United States to raise awareness about violence against women, and to promote healthy, equal relationships among boys and girls. To reach men as workers and consumers, the WRC has partnered with corporations and unions to bring these messages to offices and shops. They also conduct workshops in schools and workplaces, and host two annual conferences teaching boys about gender equity and anti-violence.
The signature event of the White Ribbon Campaign in Canada centres on the annual White Ribbon Days running from November 25th, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, to December 6th, Canada’s National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. In 2009, the WRC helped launch the UN Secretary-General's Network of Men Leaders to end violence against women, supported 10 new international campaigns get off the ground (including Chile, Argentina, Switzerland and Ireland) and distributed over 140,000 white ribbons globally.
For more information, visit the White Ribbon Campaign website, subscribe to the Speaking Out newsletter for the latest news, visit their blog, and/or join their Facebook group.
Canadian Women’s Foundation - Annual Violence Prevention Grants
The Canadian Women’s Foundation (CWF) is now accepting proposals for the Annual Violence Prevention Grants for 2010. CWF is Canada’s only national public foundation dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls. Funding is given to women’s organizations across Canada that are using the most effective approaches to ending violence against women, moving women out of poverty, and building strong, resilient girls. Particular priority is given to funding work with women, children and girls who face multiple challenges. The goals of the Annual Violence Prevention Grants are:
- To prevent violence against women and girls through work involving girls or teens – such as healthy relationships programs, leadership development or outreach.
- To support women’s organizations and programs in Canada that help women and children rebuild their lives after the crisis of experiencing violence – such as education for women with disabilities, second stage housing or loan funds.
Under this initiative, CWF expects to select approximately 50 grants up to a maximum of $25,000 each. If your organization and work fits the selection criteria, you may apply for additional funding of up to $3,000 to assist with access costs. The proposal guidelines are now available on the CWF website. The submission deadline is February 8, 2010.
If you have any questions, please contact Fawzia Ratanshi, Violence Prevention Programs Manager, or call CWF’s toll free number 1-866-293-4483 ext 228.
Key Dates
February 2009 - Violence Prevention Month in Newfoundland and Labrador
March 8, 2009 – International Women’s Day
Events
February 4 to 6, 2010 - The Early Years Conference 2010 - The Rights of the Child, Victoria, BC
February 24 to 26, 2010 - National Summit on Interpersonal Violence and Abuse Across the Lifespan, Dallas, TX, USA
March 11, 2010 - First International On-line Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Conference
March 22 to 25, 2010 - The 26th National Symposium on Child Abuse, Huntsville, AL, USA
March 24 to 26, 2010 - Eastern Conference on Child Sexual Abuse Treatment, Virginia Beach, VA, USA
April 18 to 24, 2010 - 5th annual National Victims of Crime Awareness Week (NVCAW) in Canada
May 3 to 5, 2010 - Taking Action against Child Abuse – Joining Together Conference, Calgary, AB
May 17 to 19, 2010 - Prevent Child Abuse America National Conference, Jacksonville, FL, USA
May 27 to 28, 2010 - PREVNet Annual Conference, Hamilton, ON
June 6 to 9, 2010 - 2010 International Conference on Child Welfare and Well-Being, Toronto, ON
June 7 to 10, 2010 - Pathways to Resilience II: The Social Ecology of Resilience, Halifax, NS
August 2 to 4, 2010 - 14th National Conference on Domestic Violence, Anaheim, CA, USA
September 21 to 24, 2010 - 10th World Conference on Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion, London, UK
October 25 to 27, 2010 - 9th International Looking After Children Conference - Youth in Mind, Montreal, QC
November 1 to 3, 2010 - The Global Domestic Violence Conference, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
The NCFV E-bulletin invites provincial and territorial partners to highlight their initiatives as well as provide information, updates and other news.
Attitudinal Survey on Violence Against Women Released
The Government of New Brunswick recently released the results of a survey measuring the public’s concerns and attitudes relating to various forms of violence against women. The 2009 Attitudinal Survey on Violence Against Women updates the findings of the first attitudinal survey conducted in 2002. The main areas examined in the 2009 survey were violence against women, child abuse, elder abuse, dating violence and violence against persons with disabilities. A sufficient number of Aboriginal respondents were included to ensure their views were taken into consideration, which is an enhancement over the 2002 survey. The survey also looked at the public perspectives about the causes of violence against women, and gauged awareness of the services available to victims of abuse.
Click here to download the report.
“If I’d Only Known” Project Helps Newcomers Avoid Violence and Abuse
Family Service Toronto, with funding support from Citizenship and Immigration Canada, is launching a unique 18-month project that uses the first-hand experiences and voices of newcomers who have been involved in abusive situations to educate new immigrants about their rights and responsibilities under Canadian law with regard to violence. The project, entitled “If I’d Only Known: Newcomers speaking to newcomers about abuse in close personal relationships” is national in scope and will involve outreach to major population centres across Canada. Family Service Toronto, a community service agency with a long history of work with newcomer communities, will use its experience with the Tamil, Farsi, Afghani, South Asian and Somali communities to build the education materials.
For more information, visit the Family Service Toronto website.
Statistics Canada Releases Victim Services Report
Statistics Canada recently released the Juristat article, Victim Services in Canada, 2007/2008. The report provides a profile of victim services in Canada that responded to the survey, as well as information on the clients they served. It presents data on the types of victim agencies in Canada, the services offered, staff and volunteers, and criminal injuries compensation applications and awards. Characteristics of clients, such as sex, age grouping and type of victimization, are based on counts of clients served on a snapshot day of May 28, 2008.
The 2007/2008 Victim Services Survey was conducted by the Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics and was funded by Justice Canada's Policy Centre for Victim Issues. Click here to read the full report.
Every Image, Every Child: Internet-facilitated child sexual abuse
In its first special report, Every Image, Every Child, the Office of the Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime (OFOVC) analyzes the issue of Internet-facilitated child sexual abuse and makes nine recommendations to the federal government on how to address it. Through the report, the OFOVC urges the federal government to amend laws and policies to make investigations more efficient, to support stronger efforts to find and help treat child victims and to reduce the distribution of child sexual abuse material in Canada.
The complete report, along with a backgrounder summarizing the recommendations and a statistical summary, is available on the Office website or by calling toll-free at: 1-866-481-8429.
Minister Guergis Supports Uniting to End Violence Against Women
On December 3, 2009, the Honourable Helena Guergis, Minister of State (Status of Women), announced that the Government of Canada will contribute $1 million to support the establishment of Uniting to End Violence against Women, a project that will bring together shelter organizations from across Canada and support efforts to end violence against women and their children. The project’s principle activities will be to facilitate the national exchange of "proven, promising and innovative" practices and to design and establish a national network of women's shelters across Canada. Provincial, territorial and First Nations shelter organizations are key partners in this initiative, along with government departments, community-based service providers and women who have experienced intimate partner violence.
National Crime Prevention Centre - Funded Projects in Alberta
Through the National Crime Prevention Centre, the Government of Canada is providing $2.7 million in federal support for projects aimed at preventing and reducing crime in Edmonton and in five participating First Nation communities throughout Alberta.
The Walking the Path Together program initiated by the Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters is receiving over $1.4 million in funding support over three years. This project will work to reduce future offending behaviours in Aboriginal children who have been exposed to family violence. Five shelters located in First Nation communities throughout the province of Alberta are participating in this initiative.
Uncles and Aunts at Large (Edmonton Area) Society will be receiving over $1.3 million in federal support over four years to implement the Stop Now and Plan Program ® (SNAP ®) for At Risk Children. This program introduces children to alternatives to using violence by increasing their emotional awareness, and teaches them the ability to stop and think about positive alternatives before taking action. SNAP ® has been recognized as a model program that has been demonstrated to be effective.
Funding of approximately $900,000 over three years is being provided to Calgary Family Services’ Spirit – Girls Identifying Real Life Solutions program. This is a school based program that uses a blend of group and one-on-one activities to teach girls between the ages of 12 to 15 the benefits of long term positive relationships and provides them with coping strategies and life skills.
For more information, please visit www.tacklingcrime.gc.ca.
The NCFV’s March 2010 E-bulletin will focus on children exposed to family violence.
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Content of the NCFV E-Bulletin is provided as an information-sharing service; inclusion does not represent endorsement by the PHAC or FVI member departments.
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