Beginning a New Dialogue
The news lately has been filled with allegations of sexual and physical abuse against certain celebrities and sports figures in both Canada and the United States.
What's so often missed in the sensationalism of these stories is the opportunity for a new dialogue, desperately needed to fight against the violence that has become so disturbingly commonplace.
Some people are taking positive steps towards changing this culture of violence. In Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, a campaign entitled "I Can MANifest Change" has the joint support of the Coalition to End Violence Against Women, Crime Prevention Ottawa, and Ottawa police. Its aim is to “mobilize” boys and men in an effort to change attitudes toward violence and sexual assault.
The coordinator of the project, Matt Schaaf, states: “The whole premise is that violence against women is not just a women’s issue.... Most perpetrators are men but most men aren’t perpetrators. So it’s all about giving guys the tools to do something when they see a situation developing.”
The campaign was launched in early November at Longfields-Davidson Heights Secondary School in Ottawa, which has its own community campaign called "Man Up!2014". Euan Scoffield, one of the students leading the Man Up! campaign, says: "We have the opportunity to make sure everyone truly understands what it means to be a man.... It’s our responsibility to do the right thing and take action and raise awareness."
To read the newspaper article on this movement, please see http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-n....
Men and boys interested in being part of the campaign can upload a picture of themselves at www.manifestchange.ca/ and take a personal pledge. The website has advice on ending violence, as well as information on community resources. It also features male role models such as Marc Methot of the Ottawa Senators.
Programs against bullying have been implemented in many schools. It would be great to see this latest movement to end violence catch on.
What's so often missed in the sensationalism of these stories is the opportunity for a new dialogue, desperately needed to fight against the violence that has become so disturbingly commonplace.
Some people are taking positive steps towards changing this culture of violence. In Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, a campaign entitled "I Can MANifest Change" has the joint support of the Coalition to End Violence Against Women, Crime Prevention Ottawa, and Ottawa police. Its aim is to “mobilize” boys and men in an effort to change attitudes toward violence and sexual assault.
The coordinator of the project, Matt Schaaf, states: “The whole premise is that violence against women is not just a women’s issue.... Most perpetrators are men but most men aren’t perpetrators. So it’s all about giving guys the tools to do something when they see a situation developing.”
The campaign was launched in early November at Longfields-Davidson Heights Secondary School in Ottawa, which has its own community campaign called "Man Up!2014". Euan Scoffield, one of the students leading the Man Up! campaign, says: "We have the opportunity to make sure everyone truly understands what it means to be a man.... It’s our responsibility to do the right thing and take action and raise awareness."
To read the newspaper article on this movement, please see http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-n....
Men and boys interested in being part of the campaign can upload a picture of themselves at www.manifestchange.ca/ and take a personal pledge. The website has advice on ending violence, as well as information on community resources. It also features male role models such as Marc Methot of the Ottawa Senators.
Programs against bullying have been implemented in many schools. It would be great to see this latest movement to end violence catch on.
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Open Investigations
A blog that explores crime fiction writing and other topics of interest to both readers and authors.
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