What does TMAV do?

TMAV support a diverse range of initiatives that are contributing to reducing violence by men in our community. We have identified a number of factors contributing to male violence and initiatives that address some of these under-lying causes of violence.

A few initiatives are “TMAV” led but most are activities operating independent of TMAV that we simply want to acknowledge here as contributing in some way to promoting positive male development in our community.

What has TMAV done so far?

TMAV is a group of volunteers so we are limited in what we can achieve only by the time, energy and creativity of people willing to do something.
Some of the activities and events we have been involved with to date include:

- Promoting alternatives to violence strategies at the Santa Parade, Waitangi Day events and on White Ribbon Day.

- Organising public meetings for men on the issue of violence.

- Promoting the issue in the media and liaising with other networks and individuals working on the issue of family violence.

What else is happening?

- Working with positive parenting providers on programmes and resources designed by and for men.

- Working on the production of an information pack to give to family violence perpetrators within 24 hours of incident with contact details for support services, strategies for alternatives to physical and verbal violence, etc.

- Working on the production of a DVD promoting fathers who interact in positive ways with their children with ideas on weekly no/low cost activities that can be undertaken by fathers and their children in the Gisborne area.

- Working with places like the library and supermarkets on evening activities for fathers and sons.

- Undertaking some research on the key issues that cause men to be violent and designing practical, local strategies to address these issues - e.g. addressing stereotypes in the media; promoting positive male role-models and their struggles with the issues of aggression and relationships; practical steps men can take in conflict situations to avoid physical and verbal violence; promoting male health; communication skills; etc.