2024 ICADV Fall Conference

Reinforcing rigid gender norms upholds a system of abuse perpetrated by a system of abuse. By eradicating “the man/woman box” (as described by Tony Porter, A Call to Men), the ability to distinguish authority from influence would become much more normalized in society. Not only would this enhance a culture of safety and accountability as a means of preventing domestic violence, but this would also ensure that positions of power remain unwelcoming to abuse. The role of healthy masculinity is not to teach young boys the concept of ‘consent,’ but rather, it is to resist the occupying force that requires people to be abusive in order to be seen as masculine.

Over the last ten years, funding and guidance for primary prevention programs has shifted preventionists away from the historic focus on information delivery and behavior change toward practices that impact the contexts of our daily lives. Preventionists are expected to follow changing practice guidelines while experiencing dwindling funding, high turnover, and lack of buy in and support from leadership or the community at large, leaving preventionists feeling stuck, frustrated, and isolated. In this session, the ICADV Prevention Team will share findings from the ICADV 2024 Statewide Prevention Needs Assessment and emerging research about the state of primary prevention practices in the Midwest. Attendees will be invited to explore patterns of practice in their communities and agencies, identify strengths and opportunities for growth, and dream into a future where violence is not tolerated, and where safety, stability, and nurturing is expected and available to everyone.

Over the last ten years, funding and guidance for primary prevention programs has shifted preventionists away from the historic focus on information delivery and behavior change toward practices that impact the contexts of our daily lives. Preventionists are expected to follow changing practice guidelines while experiencing dwindling funding, high turnover, and lack of buy in and support from leadership or the community at large, leaving preventionists feeling stuck, frustrated, and isolated. In this session, the ICADV Prevention Team will share findings from the ICADV 2024 Statewide Prevention Needs Assessment and emerging research about the state of primary prevention practices in the Midwest. Attendees will be invited to explore patterns of practice in their communities and agencies, identify strengths and opportunities for growth, and dream into a future where violence is not tolerated, and where safety, stability, and nurturing is expected and available to everyone.

In my first year of leading violence prevention efforts at a Catholic college, a student asked me “Why do we only talk about sex in the form of rape?” YIKES. She was right. In the conservative space of a religious institution, we are often only permitted to speak about sexual contact in its most violent form. This workshop will challenge you to go beyond your typical violence prevention efforts, with a special emphasis on navigating these conversations in spaces that typically do not allow sex positivity at all.