A Call to Men - Be the Change

17th of August, 2015

Aviva was recently asked to help organise and host a South Island Hui aimed at creating connections and stimulating a movement of men who can be part of the solution to family violence.

The 'Be the Change' hui was the fourth in a series throughout the country supported by the It’s Not Ok Campaign, and its focus was on taking the issue of family violence out to men in our community. Thirty-eight people attended the hui held at Tuahiwi Marae and all found it a very positive experience, particularly because of the safe and non-judgemental space in which men could share their experiences, develop their skills to change, or support other men on their journeys of change.

The South Island hui provided a lot of opportunity for local speakers to share and lead and, like the other hui throughout the country, it also featured It’s Not Ok Champion Vic Tamati and Dr Michael Roguski’s “Narratives of Change” research. Amongst the presenters were Aviva’s Paul Scott, our male Peer Support Specialist, talking about the value of the peer relationship; and ReachOut Worker Darragh Fahy who presented the ‘Healthy Relationship’ youth programme Aviva has been developing with support from the Dublin St Trust. That programme received a lot of positive feedback from participants, including representatives of the It’s Not OK campaign, who are keen to access the programme’s resources and see it extended to other regions.

“The myth is that men do not talk about issues like this. But put a group of men together with this type of issue and you can’t shut them up!” said one participant. In acknowledgment of that apparent need, organisers and attendees have resolved to continue meeting and grow their representation and networks across the South Island.

"It made me realise that if these men could change, so could I."

Hui attendee