Men’s group moving forward with anti-violence work
Thank you for previously publishing my letter (“Men must work together to stop harassment,” Nov. 4) regarding the launch of the Facebook page Together NL Men STOP Harassment and Violence Toward NL Women, and your paper’s subsequent article (“Two N.L. men create movement to stop violence against women in province,” Nov. 14) on our #Bethegoodguy Facebook group for Newfoundland and Labrador men to join and work with other N.L. men to stop the harassment and violence toward the women in our lives and communities.
Since your article appeared, some good things have been happening:
• I met with the minister responsible for the Status of Women in N.L., Siobhan Coady, and two of her staff. The meeting was very positive and supportive of the #Bethegoodguy initiative and it was agreed that I will liaise with the minister and the Women’s Policy Office in relation to our work and how we fit with the government’s policy framework, “Working Together for Violence Free Communities.” Thank you, Minister Coady and your staff for your time and inclusive, positive approach to working with us at #Bethegoodguy.
• Memorial University via a senior executive is looking into developing a literature review on approaches to men working with other men across the province to stop the violence toward women. Our university will consult with internal university experts to develop the advice to guide the work of #Bethegoodguy in N.L.
• I met with two senior officers of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary who support a community-based movement for men to look at issues of violence and ways to reach out to other men to make N.L. a safer place for everyone.
• A meeting is also in the works with a senior executive of Eastern Health to discuss how that health authority and the others, can provide support to #Bethegoodguy and support services to men who are violent or who harass to get help with issues of anger awareness, control and management.
It is so great to be getting highlevel support for this men’s movement to help bring about the province’s goal of violence free communities.
Geoff Chaulk St. John’s