A Call To Men UK event on 22 March in Shrewsbury
The internationally-recognised activist, educator and lecturer Tony Porter is returning to Shropshire later this month. Tony will be attending an A Call to Men UK event being held at Shrewsbury Town FC’s ground on Friday 22 March 2013.
On his last appearance in Shropshire as the key note speaker at Shropshire’s Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) event in November 2012 he was the highlight of the event. Tony is co-founder and co-director of A Call to Men in the United States, and recognised for his efforts to end violence against women. His last visit saw him show his drive to see the UK and USA take the lead “on such an important issue as domestic and sexual violence prevention”.
A Call to Men UK (ACTM UK), in conjunction with Safer Shropshire Partnership, and Shropshire’s Survivors Forum, will be running both morning and afternoon sessions on the day. Each session is designed to provide training and education to men and women working in, or interested in, domestic and sexual violence prevention. All discussion will include concepts of healthy masculinity, how we define masculinity, and which aspects of masculinity can be challenged and redefined.
Nearly 20,000 women experience at least one incident of domestic violence a week. On average two women a week are killed as a result of domestic violence. ACTM UK was founded by survivors of domestic violence who wished to promote a more ‘healthy manhood’ to promote the role of men in addressing and preventing domestic violence. This latest event will look at accomplishments, challenges and lessons learned in recent times, and look at the role of men’s work in domestic and sexual violence prevention today.
Steve Charmley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member responsible for public protection, who supports the event, said:
“This Call to Men UK event provides us with a great opportunity to discuss the safety, health and well-being of domestic abuse victims, and provide a safety plan for them and their children. I’m extremely pleased that Tony is returning. He was inspirational at the MARAC event last time, and I look forward to his return.”
The morning session will run between 9am and 12.30pm, with the afternoon session between 1pm and 4pm. The event costs £35 per person, and those interested in attending should book before 19 March. The booking form can be downloaded from: http://shropshire.gov.uk/crime.nsf/open/E7484543A83A70C080257B2000527D63
