Resources for change
What Men Can Do… working to prevent men’s violence against women
If you know someone who is experiencing violence, or if you are concerned about someone’s behaviour with regards to their partner or family, the No to Violence website (PH: 1300 766 491) suggests some appropriate ways you can support and respond to these family members, friends, colleagues or acquaintances.
As suggested on the website “supporting someone who is experiencing violence needs to be done carefully and sensitively to avoid making things worse. Turning a blind eye, however, can result in a missed opportunity to provide vital support and, in some situations, to prevent serious injury or even death”.
As well as identifying useful ways to intervene when you become aware someone is experiencing or perpetrating domestic abuse or violence, this site also has many suggestions about how you can become actively involved in ending violence against women and children.
10 Things Men Can Do to Prevent Gender Violence
This fact sheet provides suggestions on how to respond to the many safe respectful men who ask “What can I do to end violence against women?” It provides practical ideas such as how to avoid funding sexism and how to raise money for agencies who work with survivors of domestic and sexual violence. It also invites men to not remain silent when they hear other men being disrespectful or abusive to girls and women.
Learn about Phil Cleary’s views on men’s use of violence
Amongst other views expressed on his website, Mr Cleary encourages public discourse on how violence against women is treated in the media and in the Criminal Justice System. He is a strong advocate of the rights of women to be safe and of holding men who use violence against women accountable for their behaviour. He speaks from personal experience (the murder of his sister in 1987) when he states “We have to change an institutionalised prejudice against women in the Court and in society that is sending a terrible message to the community”. Phil Cleary's website
Watch actor Patrick Stewart speak about his experience of growing up witnessing domestic violence
This online video features Patrick Stewart speaking at an Amnesty International event on violence against women. He moves the public discourse on violence against women and children from an intellectual pursuit to the emotion realm and a heart connection. He speaks openly about what it was like growing up in his house and the terrifying violence he and his mother experienced at the hands of his father. He also speaks of his vulnerabilities as a man and how he too has been close to using violence. See more
From Violence to Coercive Control: Renaming Men’s Abuse of Women
White Ribbon Policy Research Series No.3 (PDF)
This 2011 report by Stephen Fisher for the White Ribbon Policy Research Series (No. 3) highlights the importance of language in naming the issue of what women and children experience in domestic violence relationships. This paper discusses how the seriousness of domestic violence is minimised by some of the language being used to describe this criminal behaviour and ignores the gendered nature of these actions. It cautions against education programs “making the mistake of assuming that positive attitude change is the best sign of success” and provides an example of unintended consequences with one program participant stating “It is very helpful to talk about rape. Some men here have raped women. By talking about it, men won’t feel bad about what they have done”.