The White Ribbon Campaign: Involving Men in Prevention

Monday, 11th January, 2010

Following White Ribbon Campaign founder Michael Kaufman's visit to Scotland during the 16 Days of Action, Zero Tolerance volunteer Helen Johnson reflects on the International White Ribbon campaign's approach to prevention and what we can learn from it in Scotland.
 
The White Ribbon Campaign asks men to pledge never to commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women. Michael Kaufman is one of the co-founders of the Campaign, which started in Canada in 1991 when a handful of men decided it was time for men to speak out about violence against women and wear a white ribbon as a symbol of men’s opposition to male violence against women.
 
I had the opportunity to learn more about the campaign and hear Michael Kaufman speak at the recent Effective Intervention conference in Dumfries. The principles underpinning the White Ribbon Campaign’s approach are:
 

1. Male violence against women is created by the actions of men, and as such men are able to change this:
2. These are only the actions of some men but the phenomenon is reinforced by the silence of most men:
3. It is in no way ‘natural’ for men to commit acts of violence. There may be a capacity to commit violence, but it is only a capacity.

 
 
As such, the campaign is not claiming that all men commit these acts of violence or asking all men to take responsibility for this violence. It does argue though that all men have a duty to speak out against it.
 
The Seven P’s: understanding, not making excuses
What follows is a list of the ‘Seven P’s’ that underline the phenomenon of violence against women according to Michael Kauffman. The explanation of the phenomenon is in no way offered as an excuse, instead it is hoped that prevention work will emerge out of a greater understanding of how and why this violence occurs.

1. Patriarchal Power
Michael points out that anthropological studies have shown that societies with little or no violence are societies with equality between men and women, and societies with violence have significant inequality. This inequality is a result of patriarchal power. Such an analysis underpins prevention work.

2. Privilege and Entitlement
Men enjoy privileges that they may not even know about. Michael uses the example of taking a walk in the park, whereas he may experience a pleasant stroll, a woman may fear for her safety or be leered at by the men she walks past. Michael is careful to point out that he is not attempting to foster collective guilt; rather he is inviting people to become angry that some fellow human beings do not enjoy equal rights and privileges.

3. Permission
Unfortunately, violence against women is often considered a ‘private’ or ‘personal’ matter. This willingness to ignore violence against women allows it to continue.

4. Paradox of Manhood
Michael describes the ideals of manhood that represent men as having power and control. In this context, however, individual men will inevitably experience not having power. He analyses the role of violence in men’s lives, describing violence as a male ‘trump card’, the last resort for expressing power when all else fails. The phenomenon of domestic violence is explained by demonstrating that the ability to exercise power and control in the home may be necessary for the self-esteem of perpetrators, and may be the only place in which this power and control can be expressed. The ideal of male power is unachievable and in this context violence is a compensatory mechanism, used as an attempt to achieve this impossible ideal. Michael describes how the use of violence to regain power and control can be regretted once this sense of power is regained and its use is no longer necessary. However, the cycle of disempowerment will soon begin again.

5. Pressure cooker
The constant need to ‘be strong’, not show weakness, not express emotion and live up to the ideals of manhood lead to an emotional ‘pressure cooker’ that is too much to bear and risks an explosion at any time. This pressure on men to live up to impossible ideals must be stopped.

6. Psychic Armour
Men are brought up with images and ideals of male emotional distance and lack of empathy. Men learn to build psychic armour between themselves and others, learn to think of themselves as distant and alone. A consequence of this is that there is an inability to see or feel another’s pain. This emotional shutdown and lack of empathy enables perpetrating men to commit acts of violence and distance themselves from their victims. A key to combating violence against women will be in cultivating empathy and exploring ways of experiencing and expressing emotion.

7. Past Experiences
Men may learn the habit of violence through witnessing and experiencing abuse, whether this is violence against women or as victims themselves of physical violence. This is then turned around and used against others. A solution, therefore, is to provide boys with other models of behaviour that are not predicated on dominance or physical strength.
 
With these Seven P’s Michael provides a framework of understanding that is consistent with the gendered analysis of violence against women. It offers countless opportunities for prevention work within this framework.
 
 
Involving men in prevention in Scotland
Some people have concerns about men’s involvement in violence against women prevention. For example, there is a worry that the focus will be taken away from the expertise and years of excellent work by women’s groups. Michael argues however that it will be impossible to eradicate violence against women without the involvement of men. He emphasises the need for men to support the pioneering and excellent work of women’s organisations and acknowledge the central role of women in challenging violence against women. He urges local groups to support women’s organisations and establish partnerships.At Zero Tolerance, we believe that involving men should be a crucial part of our approach to prevention in Scotland. It is inspiring to see examples of men around the world who have taken the white ribbon pledge and joined the fight against male violence against women and we are keen to find ways to build on this work in Scotland through the prevention network.
 
Take action
•    You can check out some resources for working with men and the concept of masculinities on the prevention network website. Maybe you could use or adapt these in your work? If you know of or us other resources, please let us know.
 
•    White Ribbon Scotland is a member of the prevention network and has recently appointed a new coordinator. Find out more about him and the campaign here If you are interested in involving men in your prevention work contact White Ribbon Scotland and take the pledge to join men across the world in the movement to end violence against women.