FAMILY VIOLENCE Prevention

A key concept put forth at Saturday’s “A Call to Men” conference was having males be part of the solution to stopping violence against women. The main types of abuse:

Intimidation: The abuser may damage property, harm pets and use other threats to keep the victim in constant fear.

Emotional abuse: Includes unreasonable criticism as well as harassment, insults and humiliation to exert control.

Isolation: The abuser decides what the partner does and with whom the partner has contact. Over time, the victim often loses relationships with friends and family, and access to the outside world.

Blame: The abuser finds excuses for why the violence is the victim’s fault.

Use of children: The abuser may threaten the kids or manipulate them into taking his side against the victim.

Male privilege: The abuser makes all the decisions and may treat the partner as a servant.

Economics: Money the victim earns may be taken, as the abuser seeks to control economic resources.

Steps men can take include:

Understanding how sexism and male dominance lay the foundation for violence against women.

Challenging their sexist views.

Taking a stand against such violence.

Educating their sons and other youngsters about men’s responsibility toward ending violence.

Challenging traditional images of manhood.

Beingactive in creating a cultural and social shift that does not tolerate violence.

Stopping rationalizations for violence, such as chemical dependency, stress and mental illness.

Source: Tri County Family Violence Prevention Coalition