Cayman men to attend conference on domestic abuse

(CNS): Three men the Cayman Islands will be attending a conference in New York aimed at ending domestic violence, sexual violence and all forms of violence and discrimination against women and girls. The Estella Scott-Roberts Foundation (ESRF), along with assistance from an anonymous private donor, sponsored its Chairperson Rayle Roberts and successful applicants Victor Crumbley and Clifton Gayle to attend this Stand Up, Speak Out conference on 21 and 22 May.

The conference organisers have invited a group of male and female presenters who are amongst the leaders in the United States in pioneering efforts to engage men in addressing the issue of ending violence against women. Men and women are attending this conference to "Stand Up and Speak Out".

The conference aims to challenge men to reconsider their long held beliefs about women, in an effort to create a more just society. Organisers believe this is achieved by encouraging change in the behaviours of men through a re-education and training process that challenges sexism. The goal of the ESRF is that the local attendees will lead the re-education process in our society upon their return.

This is the 4th annual conference organised by A Call to Men, The National Association of Men and Women Committed To Ending Violence Against Women in the United States. A Call to Men (www.acalltomen.com) believes that ending violence against women is primarily the responsibility of men. They state that historically it has been almost entirely women who have been at the forefront addressing this issue, and they think it is essential that men play a primary role in the solution to end it.

"We realise that the majority of men are well-meaning and do not engage in acts of violence against women; however it is precisely these men that don’t see themselves as a part of the problem who are a critical part of thesolution," stated Roberts. With one of its objectives as a life free of violence for all, the ESRF aims to be an active change agent to engage men in addressing the issue of ending violence against women in the Cayman Islands.