Event to challenge devastating impact of domestic abuse (From Kidderminster Shuttle)

Event to challenge devastating impact of domestic abuse

9:20am Saturday 15th September 2012 in Lifestyle

An event that offers a radical change in the way domestic abuse is viewed will take place in Worcester next week.

‘A Call to Men UK’ – which first came to Worcester last November – will return to the city on Tuesday. September 18 at St Peter’s Baptist Church in St Peter’s.

Led by the American visionary Tony Porter, the conference challenges social norms surrounding manhood. His ethos is based on that fact that men objectify women and often collude together rather than challenging negative behaviour. Even though, he says, 85 per cent of men are well meaning, they ensure that the 15 per cent who demean women remain unchallenged. Silence, he said – be it listening to jokes about women or failing to act when they know a man is abusing his partner – is affirming, and encourages such behaviour to continue.

Neil Anderson, Head of Culture and Community Service at Worcestershire County Council said : “It’s time for ‘well meaning men’ to start acknowledging the role that male privilege and socialisation plays in domestic abuse and sexual assault as well as all forms of violence against women. They must begin to acknowledge their own responsibility as part of the solution in ending violence against women, examining the ways in which male socialisation fosters violence against women.“ The event is open to all those who work in the field of domestic abuse and sexual violence. Delegates can book a place by calling Gemma Davis on 01905 822 359.

The event has been organised by SupportWorks, a self help group of women survivors, in collaboration with the Worcestershire Forum Against Domestic Abuse. It is also being supported by Worcestershire Drug and Alcohol Action Team, Worcestershire and Herefordshire Youth Offending Service and West Mercia Police .

The event will also include an award-winning powerful production of ‘Mockingbird High’ by the Certain Curtain Theatre Company. A compelling exploration of the devastating impact of domestic violence on young people and family relationships, the Company has been actively involved with domestic abuse campaigns since 1995.

SupportWorks - a not for profit organisation - was officially launched in February 2010 and is the only one of its kind in the UK. Although there are many support groups up and down the country, SupportWorks is unique in that it has an added purpose - as an organisation it aims to build peace in our homes, equality in our relationships and justice in our community. By developing and implementing prevention campaigns SupportWorks helps to foster sustainable change by promoting individual transformation, building community ownership and fundamentally challenging the social norms that condone or support violence against women.

For further information visit central.info@supportworks.info.