“Trying to create a new normal where no one uses violence against anyone.”
A pretty big goal, yes! He and Men as Peace Makers recognize that. Yet it is one the organization is mindfully working towards all the time.
Chris works in a program called Domestic Violence Restorative Circles at Men as Peacemakers in Duluth, MN. He has been doing work around ending domestic violence in various capacities since 2008. Both with those who have used domestic violence and survivors.
I, Judy, met Chris as one of my mentors when I started co-facilitating groups with men who have used domestic violence, at The Domestic Abuse Intervention Program (DAIP) as part of the Duluth Model.
Chris shares his experience with the work. In our conversation he speaks candidly sharing his current, and ever evolving, perspective on our culture, how violence is a culturally supported problem that will not be solved by working with the men in these programs alone. Chris speaks to the challenge and costs, at times, to speaking up in situations where comments are made that are sexist or discriminatory.
Issues of domestic violence are complex and layered, no doubt.
What do we need to understand if we really want a new normal where no one is using violence against anyone else? It is about recognizing the social norms that lead to and support violence. “It isn’t just THOSE guys in THOSE programs that need to change.” It is MUCH bigger than that!
We also touched on…
Do the groups work and cure men from doing violence?
Can you still have your masculinity and treat women, and the things that are typically considered “feminine” with respect too?
The emasculation or “pussyfication” of America.
And, much more.
Contact Website:
https://www.menaspeacemakers.org/dvrc