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International Men’s Day 2016 Conference

The major conference aimed to make a difference for men and boys.

Hundreds of delegates from across the UK came together at The Lighthouse, Poole, last Monday 14th November for the Safer Poole International Men’s Day Conference.

The conference, which has been organised by the Safer Poole Partnership in association with AFC Bournemouth and the Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner, aims to raise awareness of gender identity and stereotypes, domestic and sexual abuse, and transgender issues.

 

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Following the success of 2015’s conference which looked at tackling sexual violence against women and girls, this year’s conference celebrated International Men’s Day which takes place across the world on 19 November. Delegates were asked to consider what action we can all take against some of the key issues affecting men and boys, including our collective tolerance of violence against men and boys, gender stereotypes in today’s society and the high male suicide rate – figures released by The Samaritans in May this year suggest that suicide rates in men in the UK and the Republic of Ireland are more than three times higher than in women.

Our CEO Keith Best said about the event:

International Men’s Day is an important annual event which is an opportunity to raise awareness about many issues that confront men and what it means to be a man in modern society. Uppermost in our thoughts should be the appalling sexual abuse that is inflicted on so many men irrespective of their individual characteristics as has been highlighted by recent revelations. Such abuse is and can be inflicted by both men and women on those who so often do not tell of their experiences either in childhood or subsequently for fear of disbelief, ridicule and a sense of isolation. The impact on them and those around them can be devastating as we see from providing specialist services to help survivors.  All of us can use International Men’s Day to show that we know and understand what is happening and encourage those who have been abused to seek the support they need in an anonymous and confidential setting. It is time for all to take these issues seriously.

 

Take a look at the Men’s Day video:

 

 

 

Pictures courtesy of Safer Poole Partnership & UKSaysNoMore

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