White Ribbon Day 2007
Who is Tairawhiti Men Against Violence (TMAV)?
TMAV is a group of guys who are committed to empowering themselves and other men to be great partners, parents, mates and members of the community.
We are not experts just people who care and want to do something to change the way things are.
Four Corners, Three Rivers March – White Ribbon Day 2007
What does TMAV do?
We meet monthly to update each other and plan things we can do to promote alternatives to violence done by local men and provide encouragement and ideas for guys to be positive parents and partners.
TMAV is not the answer to violence in our community – but is one group of guys interested in doing something practical about the tragedy of male violence in our society.
TMAV supports a diverse range of initiatives that are contributing to reducing violence by men in our community. We have identified a number of factors contributing to male violence and strategies that address some of these under-lying causes of violence.
Who can join TMAV?
Any male living in the Tairawhiti region is welcome to participate in a TMAV meeting or join as a member.
We have some basic tikanga about respecting each others right to be heard and focusing on the kaupapa for our time together.
If you would like to meet with other men to discuss and commit to what we can do to help reduce violence in our homes and communities then come along to a TMAV meeting on first Wednesday of every month 7pm at the Men Working for Change rooms (Old Army Hall, Fitzherbert Street, Gisborne).
TMAV volunteers providing drinks at the Mother’s Day Triathlon
What has TMAV done so far?
TMAV is a group of volunteers so we are limited in what we can achieve only by the time, energy and creativity of people willing to do something. Some of the activities and events we have been involved with to date include:
- Promoting alternatives to violence strategies at the Santa Parade, Waitangi Day events and on White Ribbon Day.
- Organising public meetings for men on the issue of violence.
- Promoting the issue in the media and liaising with other networks and individuals working on the issue of family violence.
- Produced 3,500 copies of a DVD featuring local fathers who interact in positive ways with their children with ideas on weekly no/low cost activities that can be undertaken by fathers and their children in the Gisborne area.
‘Feet, Meat & Greet’ Father’s Day 2007
What else is happening?
- Working with places like the library and supermarkets on evening activities for fathers and sons.
- Undertaking some research on the key issues that cause men to be violent and designing practical, local strategies to address these issues – e.g. addressing stereotypes in the media; promoting positive male role-models and their struggles with the issues of aggression and relationships; practical steps men can take in conflict situations to avoid physical and verbal violence; promoting male health; communication skills; etc.
- Promoting the idea of establishing a Men’s Resource Centre and Safe House for Gisborne.
