Mission
The Oregon Men Against Violence (OMAV) initiative is a collaboration of local and campus organizations in Oregon seeking to engage men and boys, standing beside women, girls, and all people, as allies in the effort to prevent and respond to men’s use of violence. With a commitment to promoting diversity and social justice, fostering healing, and ending oppression, the Oregon Men Against Violence Initiative facilitates networking, the sharing of ideas, and collective action between individuals and organizations striving to support and encourage men’s engagement as allies in the prevention of gendered violence in Oregon.
History
Recognizing the need to connect and engage men in sexual violence prevention, the Oregon Sexual Assault Task Force created a statewide Men Against Violence email listserv in 2007. This provided the foundation upon which the Oregon Men Against Violence initiative was formed, as a more comprehensive online organizing effort. In 2009, the Task Force conducted a statewide survey exploring the needs and strengths of Oregon’s stakeholders in engaging men work. As a result of that survey, the first statewide in-person OMAV meeting was convened prior to the 2009 Roots of Change sexual violence prevention conference. Shortly thereafter, the Task Force hired the first OMAV Coordinator to lead Oregon’s engaging men efforts. The coordinator worked with stakeholders to create the Men’s Engagement Subcommittee of the Task Force, which serves as an advisory panel to the OMAV initiative. Since that time, OMAV has offered webinars, trainings, and technical assistance to enhance Oregon’s efforts to engage men in the prevention of gendered violence.
Structure
More information forthcoming; stay tuned!
Oregon Men Against Violence – [Connect]
For more information, resources and technical assistance on engaging men in the prevention of gendered violence, click here to email Jonathan Gates, Prevention Specialist.