Events
Schedule
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FREE SELF DEFENSE SEMINAR FOR WOMEN IN THE COMMUNITY
Self Defense seminar being offered Thursday nights from 6-8 p.m. at the Kitchener Downtown Community Health Centre, 69 Frederick Street - Kitchener.
To register, please call Juliana or Rachelle by April 7, 2008 at 519-571-0121, ext. 28.
Please click here for the poster for this event
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Men’s Anti-Rape Coalition: The MARC Project
KWSASC is pleased to announce our Centre’s new public education initiative – The MARC Project. We have created an opportunity in our community for men to participate in ending violence against women beginning in January 2008!
Background
A gendered analysis of sexual violence recognizes that women and children make up the vast majority of survivors of sexual assault and men make up the vast majority of offenders. Men are described as the perpetrators in 98% of sexual assaults (Statistics Canada, 2003). As a Centre, we recognize the importance of women directing the work to end both the causes and effects of sexual violence; violence against women takes place within a social, political, cultural, and economic context of historical disadvantage and oppression.
However, given the high percentage of male perpetrators (and a significant percentage of boys who experience sexual abuse), rape is clearly a men’s issue. That said we seldom talk to men about what they can do to change our society’s culture of rape – a culture that condones sexual violence. The reality is that without men who are committed to eliminating women’s oppression, violence against women will persist.
We know that mainstream constructions of masculinity promote violence and limit boys and men’s expression and experiences. However, we have seen that when men speak out against those constructs and violence, it has a unique and powerful impact on the young people that hear their message!
Purpose & Participation
The purpose of The MARC Project is to provide men with the opportunity to learn how they can work to end sexual violence against women and children with the support of our Centre. Any man, 18 years of age or older, is eligible to apply to attend the training sessions. The MARC Project includes 14 hours of training around issues of sexual violence and how men can be active in ending violence against women. As it is a closed group, interested men will go through an interview and evaluation process before being accepted into the project. Participants must obtain a satisfactory criminal and personal reference check before moving forward with the participation process.
What are the possibilities for The MARC Project’s graduates?
Men may use the knowledge gained from their training in a variety of ways. It is our hope they will develop further strategies to engage men and boys to be active in ending violence against women in their own lives. They will also have opportunity to participate in some of our public education events that teach boys and young men about ending violence against women and support other KWSASC initiatives. How to get involved with The MARC Project?
For more information on how you can be involved in this unique and innovative project, please contact our Public Education Coordinator, Joan Tuchlinsky, at PubEd@kwsasc.org or (519) 571-0121 x32.
We look forward to the possibilities created by this initiative!