Combatting Gender-related Violence

Mind the Gap: Tackling Gender-related violence
in theory and practice in developing training for
youth workers.
Dr Fin Cullen
Brunel University London
http://sites.brunel.ac.uk/gap
DEFINING ‘Gender related violence’
‘sexist, sexualizing or norm driven bullying
harassment and violence whoever is targeted.’
more political definition of violence than WHO (2002)’s
‘intentional use of physical force or power…’
07/07/2015
www. brunel.ac.uk/gap
2
Gaps to bridge
• support services for adults + children
• victim-support services + everyday professional
contact
• supporting those affected +intervening to
challenge or prevent violence
• interventions tackling VAWG + homophobia.
07/07/2015
www. brunel.ac.uk/gap
3
Theoretically drew on Queer theory + LGBT activism + post
structuralist feminism + 2nd wave feminist activism/ theories of
gendered violence =?????????
Day 1
Day 2
The
UK trainingDay 3 (half-day)
‘Promoting healthy
‘Unpacking GRV’
(About Young People) relationships, and
understanding the
law’(ROW)
• Defining GRV.
• Identification of
violence & inequality
in relation to young
people/workplace.
• Action planning.
07/07/2015
‘Putting it into
Practice’
(BRUNEL)
• Promoting healthy
• Exploring available
relationships to
resources.
prevent GRV.
• Promoting equality
• The law on consent
(anti-oppressive
and sexual violence.
practice).
• Planning putting day 1 • Final action plans.
and day 2 into action in
work settings.
www. brunel.ac.uk/gap
5
Participant’s ideas: Training into
action
Organisational
change
Specific
interventions for
CYP
Reflexive practice
• “Review policies in work place & youth policies”
• Provide structured programmes on these issues
& assist other youth workers in training
• “Help young people to recognise oppression,
what it is and how it is perpetrated
• “Build GRV into behavioural agreements”
• Personally think more about gender stereotypes
in my lesson planning”
• “Act as a role model for young people”
• Put GRV centre stage;
• Brings theory, activism & practice together.
• Plugged some gaps- brought a non-binary
analysis of sex-gender;
• Had LA buy in as ‘free offer’;
• Expanding conceptions of violence;
• Brought activism & practice together specifically;
• Was a ‘success’ in relation to pre and post surveys
in changing attitudes
Opportunities
Challenges
Challenges
we do go (sighs)
round and round in
circles in our office,
cos no matter
whatever you say or
challenge, it always
comes back in your
face, and particularly
me, being a gay
person, if I challenged
something that I feel
or find offensive or
shouldn’t be said in
our office, I’m always
aware that it’s me
that’s saying it
Safe workplaces?:
Participants’ experience
I don’t mind challenging most things but this topic is .., quite a
sensitive one and especially in the workplace, it’s one thing to
challenge outside when you’re with your family or your friends but
amongst colleagues ..the repercussions are quite different…
Safe learning spaces?:
Trainers experience
“And sort of
deliberately
challenging you on
whether this is
something that really
was important to be
looked at …or saying
that or completely
dismissing sexism
against women as
even being something
that’s a problem
anymore..”
“this guy said did you deliberately pick men, gay men to be part of that because you knew
that would be the most challenging for people to watch, cos you knew we'd find that
hardest to identify with? <> he said well y'know girls kissing girls y'know that’s alright
people, most people are OK with that but said y'know gay men is something that is more
challenging”
AOP in pro-oppressive settings:
Questions to consider…
• Participants felt devalued/oppressed in work
settings;
• Everyday violence expectation of worker
‘resilience’?
• Interoffice oppressive dynamics;
• Who owns the agenda?
• Organizations expecting quick concrete fixes
based on training privileges equalities-lite
approach over AOP.
• Austerity…
Beyond pessimism? From top trumps
to constellations and coalitions…
• Who delivers/sets/ owns the agenda?
• Preaching to the converted or ?????
• Need more ‘straight’ male GRV activistspractitioners?
• Intersectional analysis in content necessary
to ensure buy in and collaboration from
other groups facing multiple oppressions