YWCA calls on men to help stop abuse
GREENWICH — Offering help to victims of domestic abuse is at the core of YWCA Greenwich’s mission. To that end, the nonprofit agency is again putting out the call for men in town to offer their voices in the fight against violence.
To mark Father’s Day on June 17, YWCA Greenwich is asking men who live or work in Greenwich to list their names on an ad calling for an end to domestic abuse. The Y is partnering on the campaign with Greenwich Time, where the ad will appear. This is the ninth year YWCA Greenwich has undertaken the ad project.
“We know if we want to make any kind of dent in the problem through prevention of intimate partner violence we need to engage men and boys in a much deeper way,” said Meredith Gold, director of domestic abuse services for YWCA Greenwich. “This campaign is meant to be a great first step.”
The campaign is being expanded this year to include all forms of genderbased harassment and violence.
“This moment is a unique time for us to elevate the importance of this issue and engage more and more men and women around gender based violence,” YWCA Greenwich President and CEO Mary Lee Kiernan said on Monday. “This is a special opportunity.”
The campaign has already received the participation of a number of prominent Greenwich residents, all of whom have signed on as co-chairpersons for the effort. That group includes U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., First Selectman Peter Tesei, sState Sen. L. Scott Frantz, R-36, state Reps. Michael Bocchino, R-150, and Fred Camillo, R-151, Chief of Police James Heavey, Fire Chief Peter Siecienski, GHS Headmaster Chris Winters and others, including the heads of several human services agencies, religious leaders and business owners in town.
“Men leading in this case is extremely important both as role models and advocates,” said Blumenthal, a town resident.
Blumenthal noted that when he was state attorney general he formed an organization in Hartford called Men Make a Difference, Men Against Domestic Violence. He spoke about the importance of men stepping forward to set a good example for boys and teens.
Tesei also is a longtime supporter of the campaign and of the YWCA’s Domestic Abuse Services.
“There are inherent standards of decency, civility and respect for all that start in the home.” Tesei said. “My participation along with the legions of other husbands, fathers and officials in town illustrates the importance of this annual awareness campaign. I believe it is imperative that we all lead by example when it comes to taking a stand against domestic violence and gender-based violence and sexual harassment and it is something that should be done every day of the year, not just to mark one specific holiday each year.”
People who are interested in taking part can sign up online at http://www.ywcagreenwich.org/2018MenAgainst. Those who do sign up will have their names in the ad. By having prominent names on the list, Gold said, it shows this is not an issue to be shied away from.
The Greenwich YWCA is the only agency in town offering free, around-theclock services for domestic violence victims including emergency shelter, a hotline (203-622-0003), individual and family counseling and court advocates.
Interest in being a part of the campaign has increased yearly. Gold said the conversation around the issue has also expanded and deepened, because more men feel comfortable being affiliated with the movement.
“In the past there may have been resistance or a thought that, ‘Oh this is a woman’s issue,’” Gold said. “People would say, ‘This has nothing to do with me’ but now they’re realizing this is a societal issue and everyone can play a role in the perpetuation or the fight against this kind of violence. Through our work in the community and by educating the public people are more forthcoming and wanting to be supportive.”
According to Gold, 85 percent of the victims of domestic violence are women and girls and 97 percent of the violence is committed by men. According to statistics supplied by YWCA Greenwich, one in four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime.
The agency said thousands of calls come in a year to its 24/7 hotline. In addition to its services to victims, YWCA Greenwich holds prevention programs for Greenwich youth to stop violence through education, and provides training to police, health care workers and professionals ranging from attorneys to hair stylists in the overall effort to stop abuse.
“Ultimately we want to see changes in behavior, from people at work or in personal relationships,” Kiernan said. “We want to see men hold others accountable and hold themselves accountable, too.”