Male bashing?
Oftentimes men respond to the discussion of violence against women with defensiveness or suspicion. There is a feeling that talking about the epidemic of men’s violence against women generally is accusing men individually. A typical response might be, “I don’t abuse women. Why are you talking to me about this? Talk to the bad guys.”
We reach out to men not because we believe that they are likely to commit violence, but because we believe they are critical partners in preventing violence. We approach the problem of family violence from the standpoint that, as a community, there are steps we can take to change the culture and to make this a safer environment for all people. Violence against women and children impacts our communities, families, workplaces and relationships. Because family violence impacts us all on multiple levels, it is important that we become involved in this work.
We believe that traditional formulations of masculinity not only harm women, but that they limit and harm men as well.
