Latest Be the Peace news: Gathering the Men

Greetings Friends, As a man, what would you do to keep your daughter safe? Or your sister, or mother, niece, partner or friend? What would you do to ensure they are treated respectfully and don't fall victim to violence in some form?

As you may know, the "Be the Peace" Project aims to address violence against women and girls in Lunenburg County over the next three years. It has been clear from the very beginning of this effort, that men and boys are an essential and valued part of the conversations and the solutions.

Now is an opportunity for men to come together to meet with like-minded men who care about the safety of the girls and women they love.

Please join us as we gather the men, (15 and older):
"Gather the Men" luncheon
Sunday, October 28th
12:30 - 3:30 pm
Bridgewater Superstore Community Room (upstairs)

With highly skilled guest facilitator, David Hatfield, who arrives from a program on Mentoring Boys and Male Youth at Tatamagouche Centre David has been hosting workshops and groups for men and boys for 15 years.

Enjoy a delicious lunch while examining unfair stereotypes about men and their roles. Strategize and begin work towards engaging men and boys in creating a safer, more peaceful world for all of us. Send out this invitation to other men you know. Bring a friend, co-worker, son, nephew....

Please RSVP by October 22nd to: admin@bethepeace.ca or call 634-8090.

Introduction to Be the Peace:
"Do you wish all students felt safe and accepted at school?"
"or that all families were a safe and nurturing place for all their members?"
"Are you concerned about the impact of social media and technology on your kids?"

Relationship violence takes many forms - it affects us all
"What if all women and girls AND men and boys throughout Lunenburg County
could have satisfying relationships without resorting to violence, control or disrespect for one another?"

Funding has been awarded to Second Story Women's Centre to build community partnerships in creating a 3-year action plan - a coordinated community response to violence against women and girls in Lunenburg County and surrounding communities.

But this will involve more than women and girls. Men and boys are also affected by violence, and are equal partners in the solution. There are times when it takes an entire community to make a change.

We cannot do it without you.

Photos right: "Case for Leaving"
This creativity project is supported by a grant from the Muriel McQueen Fergusson Foundation. Women are using suitcases to create art projects reflecting on their experiences with abuse.

Be the Peace links:

• Oct. 17/12: Gather the Men newspaper article
• Oct. 2012: October Newsletter/Update
• Jul. 5-7/12: Be the Peace public forum final report (105 pages)
• Jul. 5-7/12: YouTube video Be the Peace forum (7.35)
• May 30/12: Initial project announcement
• May 15/12: Report: Partners Gathering #12
• May 2012: Project brief
• Relationship violence statistics (Canada)

Be the Peace Public Forum: Hopes & Fears - Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, July 5 - 7, 2012