Our Bodies Ourselves Hosts Suffolk University Event for Sexual Assault Awareness Month

The "Suffolk Journal" reported on an informational workshop with activist Craig Norberg-Bohm, hosted by Our Bodies Ourselves at Suffolk University on April 16.

Over 25 students -- about half of them young men -- came to learn more about how men can be allies in the prevention of sexual and domestic violence. The event was part of the university's Sexual Assault Awareness Month programming.

Students discussed where they experienced masculinity culture growing up, heard experiences of male survivors, and brainstormed how they can all be an active part of the solution as male allies.

Suffolk student journalist Reese Buckley writes:

Norberg-Bohm first began the event with a short lecture on the history of the fight against domestic violence throughout his career, the importance of promoting healthy masculinity and his recognition of the detrimental effects of the patriarchy on young children. He held space for all the attendees in the room that might have been affected by this subject, and continuously reinforced his support and judgment free spirit to the audience.

Norberg-Bohm argues that much of the violence against women is rooted in culture, which is something that can be contested and reformed.

“Men must care about the violence men do to women and want to see it decreased.” Norberg-Bohm said. “Lots of men don’t think it’s about them, since they are privileged by it [their masculinity].”

Socially-enforced masculinity makes building awareness and prevention all the more difficult, but having male students take initiative and attend the event is a step in the right direction, Norberg-Bohm believes.

The workshop addressed how domestic violence and sexual violence have deep roots in harmful gender expectations. Attendees strategized how to intervene when they witness violence against women in public places and how we can take collective responsibility to prevent gender-based violence in the first place.