March 27, 2009 — Opponents of domestic violence will host a pair of conferences next month to draw more men into their campaign.
The V.I. Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Council will host "A Call To Men" on April 21 at Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort on St. Thomas and April 22 at Carambola Beach Resort on St. Croix.
The conferences will begin at 9 a.m. and run until 4 p.m. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.. There is no charge for attending. Because seating is limited, the council encourages those interested to call 719-0144 to reserve space.
According to Lynn Spencer, executive director of the council, the gatherings will be an opportunity to engage men in anti-domestic and sexual violence efforts.
"Overall we need to work on ending violence in the territory," Spencer said. "We want to get men to speak out more, getting them to be part of the solution."
Spencer said there are already many men — coaches, guidance counselors, teachers, doctors and lawyers — working with boys and young men. She hopes the conference will help them speak with a more united voice, making it clear that violence against women is not OK.
"We're going to be talking about engendering respect, talking about engaging violence in your groups as you lead young men and boys, telling them this is not okay, this is not respectful," Spencer said.
