Men's involvement in RTN
www.isis.aust.com/rtn/meninvole.htm

RTN supports and encourages men to be active about the issue of men's sexual violence against women and children in their public and private lives and on every occasion possible.  Men are expected to respect women's right to gather and march as woman.  Men can support the marchers in so many ways other than by 'occupying' the women only RTN space.

Some men have lined the streets on RTN and speak out against male violence to men on the night.  Men are also encouraged to organise their own event on another occasion, as they have done in the past about domestic violence on White Ribbon Day.

Some feel that there are positive aspects to having men involved.

They feel that it is important to show the community that men support the issue. Some women believe that their involvement contributes to social change around the issue and that it is important to involve men in a rural community. Some women and children feel safer or want to march with their partners and children. 

"It's a male problem. They (men) are there for their own family members who have been assaulted or abused or for themselves. Men may feel that they never get to speak out against violence. It gives men an opportunity to make the statement, 'I hate what's going on.' Male support is needed to turn around community responsibility, not just women and children. They can march at the end under their own banner.  You may have a local Men for a Non-Violent Future/Men Against Sexual Assault group who want to support you. Some men have been abused; some men have loved ones who have been abused. We want to make a community statement. The main issue for us is to gain community support." Dubbo

"A pretty brave man makes a statement like that in a country town." 
"It's educational for men to be involved"
"... In the media interviews we stated we wanted all women to come along and others who support them.   There were no concerns raised about men's involvement and the feedback afterwards was positive. Not many men turned up anyway, but those who did were supportive."  Gabriele, Wagga Wagga

"The most difficult decision was whether or not to have men. We talked about the issue at our first meeting. There are things for which men need to take responsibility. There are fathers, husbands and brothers of women who have been abused. It is good for men to be seen in a supportive role.  Some women may not want to march if men are there. We discussed the pro's and con's and then worked out what was best for our community. We made a decision for women to march under the Reclaim the Night banner and men to march at the back under the 'Men Against Violence' banner.  This is about fitting in with our community.  Women with husbands and kids felt it was a powerful statement,.... 'My Dad supports us in saying this isn't OK.' It worked for our community. We wanted to see it as a family event and the men seen as role models for supporting that violence against women is not acceptable."   Sally, Orange

"We have been approached by a few women who are interested in being involved in the Committee, ... they have said they don't want it to be exclusive. So, if we changed that it would alienate many women who support it at the moment." Gabriele, Wagga Wagga

"We welcome men and children's participation in the march with a safe space for women in the march and in the audience. Cate, Coff's Harbour

"Some of the women, particularly ethnic women, felt safer to have their husbands accompanying them in the march." Gabriele, Wagga Wagga

"Functioning in the real world... one makes concessions and compromises to ensure that what's being done supports the needs of the community. We decided that the most appropriate and sensitive way is to encourage men to come to the rally but we did not invite them to the march." Judith, Armidale

"I think there’s a place for women to get together and discuss their issues (not to be flippant but tonight the girls and I get together for "Stitch and Bitch") and a place for men to get together and discuss theirs. I believe a lot of young men are very confused about their place in modern society, and I think men should try and reach out and mentor them. After my nephew was killed in a car accident (due to excessive speed, booze, his mate being too young to handle a car), it occurred to me that such young blokes need to find a way to channel their energy and to have others who will teach them how to do that.  I am aware that men are able to participate in IWD marches. Men, women, girls, boys are all victims of abuse, although the statistics speak for themselves."  Darlene

"I think the "women's only" thing is a fine idea, however I have heard a lot of people say (not about RTN but generally) that it would be good if people and media could see that Men were rejecting the idea that violence against women is acceptable and Men rejecting things like porn, strip clubs etc.  Perhaps people think that including men would show some sort of unity between the sexes on these issues where a "women only" event might portray an "us against them" image.  what do others think?" Melinda