Author: Carmody, Moira
Title: Less to lose and more to gain? Men and Boys Violence Prevention Research Project Final Report,
Summary: Violence against women is a costly personal and social issue that has far reaching and long term impacts across the whole Australian community. Primary prevention takes these factors seriously and aims to intervene to prevent intimate partner violence and sexual violence before they occur.
Our research found considerable interest at a state and national level in engaging men and boys in violence against women (VAW) primary prevention. The study findings indicate that VAW primary prevention is still in the early stages of development both in Australia and
internationally. Effective intervention is acknowledged as more likely to occur if actions are
taken at multiple levels within the community. This requires action at policy levels as well as
within communities or organisations and at the local level of service provision.
The survey that was undertaken for this study of prevention agencies and programs found a significant clustering of prevention efforts in Victoria and NSW with work also being undertaken in Queensland. Students at high school and university were the most common targets of primary prevention efforts, with adolescence and early adulthood recognised as key
periods for VAW perpetration and victimisation. Other programs identified in our study worked specifically with Indigenous communities, CALD communities and sports organisations. Most stakeholders described their programs as underpinned by a gendered,
ecological model of VAW that understands violence as a product of gender inequity and gender norms.
The findings from surveys and interviews indicate that a coherent and identifiable field of prevention practice focused specifically on men and boys has yet to emerge in Australia. Activities in the field are piecemeal, ad hoc and dispersed. There is no peak organisation that provides support to areas of emerging practice except in relation to men's behaviour change programs (i.e. perpetrator programs). Primary prevention activities are scarce as well as
programs focused on boys or men specific activities.
Despite these findings, there are areas of prevention activity focusing on men and boys that indicate promising practice. These include programs and activities such as: respectful relationships education, bystander strategies, community development approaches, whole of organisation approaches, infant and parenting programs and social marketing.
The strongest finding emerging from our research is that best practice in engaging men and
boys occurs in two key areas of primary prevention:
- Community strengthening and development; and,
- Organisational and workforce development.
Section 5 of the report provides a detailed evaluation of 2 programs that demonstrate these approaches. They are the Strong Aboriginal Men Program (SAM) and the NRL Respectful Relationship Sex & Ethics Program. These two programs share the primary prevention goal of
preventing violence before it occurs as well as other important similarities, in particular:
- They are underpinned by a gendered analysis of violence against women;
- They involve working specifically or mainly with men;
- They emerge from and are supported by organisations with significant experience and expertise in violence against women; and,
- They engage men in multi-systemic change including at the community or organisational level.
While both programs have been developed in response to men and boys in specific settings they are potentially adaptable and replicable in other settings. The knowledge gained from the design and implementation of the SAM program could be applied well to working with
CALD communities and emerging refugee settings. The NRL program has many key features that can be used by diverse sporting codes and with other male workforce based programs.
Both programs therefore demonstrate a potential for reach and influence beyond their immediate program base. This is important to enhance further primary prevention activities and in addressing long term cost effectiveness. Primary prevention is both a short and long term investment in challenging deep seated practices. Without a clear commitment and
investment in policies and programs focused on intervening before violence occurs, personal
and financial costs will continue to grow leading to increased tertiary sector expenditure.
Leadership is needed within organisations and across our diverse communities to promote policies and practices that build on existing international evidence to progress primary prevention of VAW. In particular, attending to the following issues will increase engagement by men and boys in the prevention of VAW:
- Addressing the role of gender in VAW in a manner that is relevant and boys and men can understand
- Utilising educators who men and boys can relate to as role models will increase their willingness to 'hear' violence prevention messages
- Recognising that masculinities are diverse, fluid and sometimes contradictory within individuals, groups and communities
- Experiences of masculinity are effected by class, location, ethnicity, cultural background, sexuality and other factors; there is no 'one size fits all' experience
- This has implications for ensuring educational programs and other prevention activities are tailored to the specific needs of men; for example using methods of education that Indigenous men can relate to
- Engaging men and boys in the contexts and institutions in which they live, work and play may assist in enhancing the relevance of VAW prevention.
Details: Sydney: University of Western Sydney: 2014. 118p.
Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 23, 2015 at: http://www.women.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/file/0019/300619/PDF_2_Final_Report_Men_and_Boys.pdf
Year: 2014
Country: Australia
URL:
Shelf Number: 134662
Keywords:
Abusive Men and BoysCrime Prevention ProgramsEducational ProgramsFamily ViolenceIntimate Partner ViolenceSexual ViolenceViolence Against Women (Australia)Violence Prevention Programs |
