Willing, Capable, and Confident: Men, Masculinities and the Prevention of Violence Against Women

Respect Victoria

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://anrows.intersearch.com.au/anrowsjspui/handle/1/22813

Record ID: d17d7875-4c30-4255-ba74-175526adf15d

Type:	Report
Title:	Willing, Capable, and Confident: Men, Masculinities and the Prevention of Violence Against Women
Authors:	Respect Victoria
Keywords:	Mixed Methods Research;Policy and Advocacy;Emotional and Psychological Abuse;Intimate Partner Violence (IPV);Emotional and Psychological Abuse;Social and Relational Impacts;Prevalence of Violence;Mental Health;Workplace and Occupational Settings;Early Intervention;Response;Recovery and Healing;Risk Assessment Tools and Screening;Advocacy and Mentoring Services;Behaviour Change Programs;At-Risk Youth Program
Topic:	Coercive control Drivers of violence Gender relations, gender norms and attitudes Impacts of violence Primary prevention Sexual violence
Population:	General population People who use domestic, family and sexual violence
Year:	Aug-2024
Publisher:	Respect Victoria
Abstract:	This report explores men’s experiences and perceptions of masculinity, and how these contribute to violence against women in Australia. It presents findings on social pressures around masculinity, how men navigate these pressures, and opportunities for engaging men in primary prevention. The report recommends focusing on workplaces, parenting programs, and social networks to challenge harmful masculine norms and promote gender equality.
Notes:	Open access
Contents:	Willing, capable and confident: men, masculinities and the prevention of violence against women examines how we can support men to engage more in actions to prevent gender-based violence. This is the second report published from The Man Box 2024, a study led by The Men’s Project at Jesuit Social Services and conducted in partnership with Respect Victoria. The study examines the attitudes and behaviours of Australian men aged 18 to 45. It measures agreement with and experience of Man Box ‘rules’ – harmful stereotypes about what it means to be a man. Men who agree with these harmful rules are more likely to use violence against women. Willing, capable and confident draws on focus group discussions with men conducted as part of the study. It explores how men perceive and experience social pressures about what it means to be a man, including: acting tough and avoiding expressions of emotional vulnerability conforming to the masculine provider role complying with heteronormativity and compulsory heterosexuality It then investigates how men navigate these pressures, including: resistance to addressing the gendered drivers of men’s violence against women and homophobia action to challenge rigid gender norms By exploring how men conform to, navigate, or challenge the Man Box ‘rules,’ the report identifies opportunities to build their willingness, capacity and confidence to resist pressures to participate in harmful expressions of masculinity. These opportunities demonstrate pathways to men’s deeper engagement in actions to prevent violence. This report is a contribution to the collective efforts of practitioners and policy-makers working with men to prevent violence against women and other forms of gender-based violence. Key findings The report looks at how men described contexts that help them to question or disconnect from harmful ideas of masculinity and presents 5 opportunities to support more men to live freely outside the Man Box: Men see and understand the benefits of emotionally supportive, safe and equitable intimate partner relationships for themselves and their partners Fathers understand how gender norms can influence their parenting and impact their children Men’s families and social networks can support them to let go of harmful ideas about what it means to be a man and can encourage healthy forms of masculinity Men’s increased openness to discuss their mental health and wellbeing can be built upon by gender-transformative primary prevention efforts Workplace initiatives, cultures and reforms provide opportunities to challenge harmful ideas about what it means to be a man The report also highlights future directions for primary prevention efforts to engage with men, including: the importance of consistent and coordinated settings-based prevention work continuing to build evidence of what works to shift harmful forms of masculinity supporting media to build men’s willingness, capability and confidence to be part of prevention
URI:	https://anrows.intersearch.com.au/anrowsjspui/handle/1/22813
Appears in Collections:	New Australian Research: September 2024 Reports

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