Men's Roles in Gender Violence Prevention

Historically, women have been at the forefront of addressing gender violence issues. An encouraging and growing trend is the appearance of groups of men also dedicated to ending violence against women. Men can take a stand as leaders demonstrating the true meaning of strength, healthy values, and integrity. The LEVI White Ribbon Campaign focuses on men working to end violence against women. This campaign is currently in its second year, and is being held June 8 - 22, 2008 in Longmont, Colorado. As part of the campaign, LEVI is holding this free professional seminar in order to educate and inspire professionals working in fields related to gender violence.

FILMS: Tough Guise: Violence, Media and the Crisis in Masculinity is a film that examines the relations between pop culture's construction of masculinity and the reality of being a man in the late 20th century American society. Jackson Katz argues that there exists a contemporary crisis in masculinity. The media offers men certain "manly" roles to play, but these roles often play out violent and selfish attitudes, traits harmful to women. Various excerpts fomr other films such as as Wrestling with Manhood and Beyond Beats and Rhymes may also be shown during this session.

DISCUSSION: Facilitating a discussion about men's roles in preventing gender violence is Marti Hopper, the Prevention Education Director at MESA. Dr. Hopper coordinates MESA's Men's Prevention Education program.

To enrich the discussion , please come with your ideas, thoughts and comments on how we can enlist men in the effort to end violence against women. By increasing the number of men interested in working on issues of gender violence, new and unique efforts are likely to occur. It will take many different approaches to find solutions appropriate to community needs, but we can get a good start right now...together!

SPACE IS LIMITED - RSVP TODAY!

Tuesday, June 10, 2008
8:00 am to 10:30 am
Longmont Safety and Justice Center, 255 Kimbark St, Longmont
Cost: FREE
RSVP by June 5, 2008 to cheryl.swanson@ci.longmont.co.us or 303-774-4534