This week, Officers from Tough Guy Book Club put down this month’s book and pick up something just as crucial - a deeper understanding of family and gender-based violence.  

Safe and Equal is Victoria’s peak body for organisations specialising in family and gender-based violence. At our monthly Officers meeting, their team provided training to us on topics like: 

• Building understanding of primary prevention of gender-based violence

• Outline the gendered drivers of violence against women and gender-based violence   

• Provide essential actions to address gender-based violence

Why We Organised This

In Australia, approximately 1-in-6 women and 1-in-16 men have experienced violence by a current or former partner since the age of 15 (ABS, 2016). Although men can also suffer from family violence, it is predominantly perpetrated by men against women and children. So why did we undertake this training? 

• As a book club for men, composed of men, we want to enhance our Officers’ ability to recognise the signs of domestic violence - if those signs present themselves - when engaging with other Goons. 

• As part of this, we want to equip Officers with the language and the confidence to facilitate the topic and discussions about it that may come from the books we read each month. 

• As a not-for-profit organisation that cares about the development of our Volunteers - we felt this training would provide skills relevant to Officers’ roles in TGBC and also be of benefit in their personal lives. 

• We feel that training increases our knowledge, skills and the confidence to be active bystanders - as well as safely and effectively challenging the attitudes that drive family and gender-based violence.

Officer Take-Outs From The Training

Altogether, 120 Officers attend the training, from Chapters across the country. Here are some examples of what they took home from the session.  

“This really got me to challenge some of my thinking. It led to a really interesting conversation with some female colleagues over breakfast, it kind of opened some floodgates.” Matt, Hobart Chapter.

“I was shocked by the statistics. I don’t want my wife, daughters and nieces dealing with a society where 90% of female assaults go unreported, as well as a large portion of males believe reporting of female assaults has been unfairly weaponised. I need to be part of the solution and respectful call out inappropriate behaviours while adjusting my own social norms to be more personal and less stereotypical.” Michael, Hawthorn Chapter

“It was eye opening to me how ingrained and socially acceptable certain behaviours can be - and continue to be - despite increased awareness and willingness to change from men I know in my own life. This highlights the small changes we must make to be role models for those around us.” Andrew, Townsville Chapter 

If You Need Support

Tough Guy Book Club won’t shy away from addressing the issue of family or gender-based violence - but that does not make us the experts to speak with if you need support. Instead, please refer to the following services: 

• If you’re feeling unsafe now, please call triple zero (000). 

• Visit Safe Steps: Victoria’s 24/7 family violence response centre for confidential crisis support, information and accommodation. 

• Visit 1800 Respect: The national domestic, family and sexual violence counselling, information and support service. 

• Visit Safe and Equal: For more information about family and gender-based violence or a full directory of other supports on their Find a service page.