FAt Cat baseball fundraiser". 50% of proceeds go to our charity and there will be police and community service booths throughout the stadium.

As a member of the Ottawa Coalition to End Violence against Women (OCTEVAW), please join me and my family for an afternoon baseball game at Jetform Park in support of OCTEVAW on Sunday July 3rd 2011.

Men for Equality and Non-Violence's "Don't Be That Guy" 2011 poster campaign we began discussing almost a year ago around sexual assault prevention is here:
http://www.sexualassaultvoices.com/our-campaign.html

Edmonton police gave Men for Equality unlimited copyrights to the campaign last February, and the ORCC, OCTEVAW and CPO launched this poster campaign recently and generously offered to cover the costs of Men for Equality and Non-Violence and our allies to print the posters, assuming they will be put up appropriately and used. Posters are available in both french and English.

If you are part of a Union, committee, company, organization, or individual wanting to get involved but are not sure how and do not have resources but want to help? This is the perfect opportunity. Encourage your place of work to take part in this campaign. Want to do more on a regular basis? http://www.octevaw-cocvff.ca/ contact them or become a member.

And for those reluctant to think that posters and talking to people are ineffective ways to combat sexual violence, I spent over an hour talking to a guy in Toronto at a workshop trying to explain over and over why it is not OK to get women drunk to have sex with them. Although everyone else left saying it was hopeless, I stayed until he understood. The following day (Saturday) I saw him at a bar talking with his friends, relaying them the message that we had discussed. He said "If you are not sure, don't!" Words are powerful, and we can and are affecting change.

Imagine if every hour spent talking to someone changed one mind, and each of those minds prevented one sexual assault or changed one other mind. We have the power to stop sexual assault.

In Sol,
Ron Couchman
President of Men for Equality

Ottawa Sting participates for the second year in the White Ribbon Campaign 2010!

The team, many of whom had been similarly involved in a WRC last year, opted to again participate and introduce the new team members to the message of ending violence against women. We thank the generous behind-the-scenes support of their head coach, Michael Guolla, all other team assistants, and the boys' parents!
Who: Ottawa Sting -- Major Midget AA, 16 and 17 year olds
Where: Kingston Area Minor Hockey Association (KAMHA) Tournament
When: Weekend, December 3rd - 5th, 2010.
Way to go Ottawa Sting!

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A few good men support a great cause

Date: Nov 24, 2010

Family Services Ottawa's Mark Arnold, left, and Tim Simboli pin on a white ribbon yesterday to show support for the White Ribbon Campaign.. read more

Participants in the White Ribbon Campaign for 2010.

Date: November, 2010

• Hunt Club Riverside Community Services Centre
• Ottawa Police Service
• The Ottawa Hospital
• Ottawa Victim Services
• Family Services à la famille Ottawa
• Ottawa Carleton Detention Centre
• Professor, Faculty of Education Ottawa U
• KPMG LLP
• Woodroffe High School
• Vanier Community Health Centre
• Equity Services, Carleton U
• Rec and Athletics, Carleton U
• Bill Welychka, A Channel
• Seventh Day Adventist Church Ottawa

Algonquin College: National Day of Remembrance

Date: December, 2009

Held in December, this event took place in order to increase awareness of Violence Against Women and to allow time for students to reflect on the tragedies women experience both locally and abroad. The event raised $220 for Interval House here in Ottawa. Above is a photo of the poster that students and community partners signed which hangs in the Rotunda B Building on Algonquin College campus. Algonquin thanks everyone for their support!

The Ottawa Sting Major Midget AA Hockey Team:

Date: November, 2009

Here's the story of a dynamic group of young hockey players trying to make a difference: They began their fight to end violence against women on Friday, November 27th with an information session by Bailey Reid of "Neighbours, Friends & Families" and OCTEVAW which touched on healthy relationships, violence against women & an intro to the White Ribbon Campaign - a session which was very well received by all of the players.

This socially conscientious and thoughtful initiative really took flight when the boys had white ribbons sewn on their sweaters which they wore for their practice. The evening was even covered by CJOH! The players also wore their sweaters the following night, Saturday, November 28th in a game against the Gloucester Rangers (who agreed to wear white ribbons which were sewn on their shorts!) Posters and white ribbons for the spectators were available in the waiting area. On Monday, November 30th, the team played another game, this time on their own turf at Sandy Hill arena against the Kanata Blazers (who were also wearing White Ribbons). Close to 50 white ribbons were distributed to a mix of parents in the waiting room, and the game ended with a brief congratulatory talk by Zac Brunet about the White Ribbon Campaign. The boys continued to wear their sweaters throughout the week - no doubt sparking tons of healthily dialogue!
This amazing initiative had many active participants including seasoned Coach Steve Besharah, a roster of young assistant coaches, engaged parents and amazing hockey players.
Congratulations to all players, coaches, parents & supporters for an amazing, grassroots campaign aimed at ending violence against women and for setting such a positive and inspiring example for the Ottawa community!

Carleton University's Initiative

Date: November, 2009

Our Role Men's Conference- looking at men's roles in ending violence against women.

Family Services à la famille Ottawa's Initiative:

Date: 2010

Professional development seminars dedicated to the reflection and discussion of engaging men have been created to reflect on Man Talk and move forward with the development of effective community programming. Guest presenters for the seminars include representatives from Father's Programming & New Directions. The meeting will also include an information table dedicated to the White Ribbon Campaign.

Western Ottawa Community Resource Center's Initiative:

Date: 2009

They have decided to add "Engaging Men and Boys" to their set agenda for VAW meetings and have also committed to working with the White Ribbon Campaign!

Canadian Community Innitiatives

Stitsville EMC

Date: February, 2010

University of Lethbridge Initiative

Date: February, 2010

A group of young men at the University of Lethbridge pledged to stop violence against women as the fist every White Ribbon Campaign was launched Monday. Campaign organizers also hope to draw attention to the levels of violence against women in Canada. Nearly a third of all female students have been victims of unwanted sexual contact at their school over the past two years and 18 per cent of those have been sexually assaulted....

Respect Women Website

Date: January, 2010

Male violence against women is a serious issue in our homes, communities and workplaces, yet there is still a lack of acknowledgment and ownership of this crime. The subject is still very much taboo and although the severity of it in this province is alarming, to say the least, it is still very much a silent issue.

Engaging Men & Boys in Family Violence Prevention, NCFV E-Bulletin

Date: January, 2010

This edition of the National Clearinghouse on Family Violence (NCFV) E-bulletin focuses on engaging men and boys in the prevention of family violence. We highlight current efforts in communities across Canada and around the world working to involve men

Date: 2010

The Clothesline Project 2010 display at Ottawa Police headquarters on 474 Catherine St.

Canadian Council on Social Development

Date: 1994

Vis-à-Vis - Canada's national newsletter on family violence featured a discussion about men being part of the solution in ending violence against women & children.

Bravo! Keep the Initiatives Coming!