MVP

Bystander Intervention Conference Inspires Attendees

MVPadmin — Sun, 17 Feb 2013 20:58:26 +0000

Jackson Katz listens intently at the MVP Bystander Intervention Conference

MVP convened more than 250 people in Boston, MA for Bystander Intervention: From Its Roots to the Road Ahead. This conference was the first global gathering of experts, activists and practitioners to discuss and share their respective bystander intervention experiences.

The conference focused on bystander intervention in preventing gender violence while exploring a range of social, structural and political dynamics that are seamlessly transferable to bystander efforts addressing other social problems.

Leading experts in the bystander intervention movement discussed a range of issues, such as men and women working together; designing effective bystander initiatives in diverse socioeconomic and racial/ethnic environments; working with organized athletics and Greeks on college campuses; bystander pedagogy; and efforts to design comprehensive bystander initiatives that address gender violence but also bullying, gay-bashing and other significant social problems.

Current and former MVP trainers reunite at the MVP Bystander Intervention Conference

One of the Breakout sessions at the MVP Bystander Intervention Conference

Participants in the Race & Class Panel speak at the MVP Bystander Intervention Conference

Graham Goulden holds court with folks from the US Navy at the MVP Bystander Intervention Conference

MVP pitches in with Michigan St FB

MVPadmin — Sun, 17 Feb 2013 20:35:21 +0000

In February 2013, MVP facilitated a discussion with the Michigan State University football team as part of their “Mind & Body” personal development series. Michigan St has partnered with MVP to develop and deliver off-the-field development education for all student-athletes since 2004. This session with football focused on leadership, masculinity, and domestic violence.

Jackson Katz TEDxWomen Talk

MVPadmin — Sun, 17 Feb 2013 20:33:01 +0000

In the Fall 2012 MVP Founder Jackson Katz presented at a TEDxWomen event in San Francisco, CA. Please watch Jackson as he salutes women’s leadership while challenging men to step up and address men’s violence – against women, against other men, and against children.

Here’s the video of his talk:

MVP at the Pentagon

MVPadmin — Sun, 17 Feb 2013 20:30:39 +0000

MVP National Director Jeff O’Brien has long served as a Subject Matter Expert for the US Military regarding sexual assault, domestic violence and bystander intervention. In January 2013, O’Brien was part of a small team invited to the Pentagon to assess current practices and to generate recommendations for future sexual assault prevention education and treatment. MVP colleagues and friends Anne Munch and David Lisak were part of the team working on behalf of our military.

Jeff O’Brien at the Pentagon

MVP-Scotland going strong

MVPadmin — Sun, 17 Feb 2013 20:26:49 +0000

MVP Scotland at Doon Academy High School

MVP Scotland, under the leadership of Chief Inspector and National Anti-Violence Campaign Coordinator Violence Reduction Unit Graham Goulden is in full swing. Inspector Goulden works for Scotland Police’s Violence Reduction Unit and coordinates all aspects of this project. 2012-2013 marks the 2^nd year of program implementation throughout Scotland.

MVP-Sweden Successfully Launched!

MVPadmin — Sun, 17 Feb 2013 20:10:15 +0000

MVP Sweden Participants

MVP has partnered with Män för Jämställdhet Sweden (Men for Gender Equality Sweden) to establish MVP-Sweden in 2012. Men for Gender Equality focuses on social norms of masculinities; how they are formed, how they influence society, relations and individuals, and how they can be reformed to contribute to gender equality, freedom from violence and better health for women, girls, boys and men.

MVP trainers Jeff O’Brien and Dr. Shannon Spriggs travelled to Stockholm in October 2012 to deliver a Train the Trainers program for 25 local educators and leaders who were coordinated by Men for Gender Equality. The participants are now implementing MVP training with teens in the metro Stockholm area.

Prior to the training, a core team from Män för Jämställdhet researched the bystander intervention programs and determined that MVP and Bringing in the Bystander (out of the University of New Hampshire) were the right fit for them. This core team spent a day with the MVP team in Boston to determine the best implementation strategy. MVP is thrilled to be in partnership with our new friends in Scandanavia.

MVP Sweden participants doing work!

MVP Sweden men’s breakout group

MVP 20th Anniversary (1993-2013)

MVPadmin — Sun, 17 Feb 2013 19:56:44 +0000

Jackson Katz’s idea of a project to enlist men in the struggle to prevent men’s violence against women was manifested in the fall of 1993, when MVP was created at Northeastern University in Boston, MA. In 2013, MVP is celebrating its 20th year of working to develop the leadership skills necessary to empower bystanders to prevent, interrupt and confront sexist abuse in their respective circles of influence.

Be on the lookout for announcements regarding events, articles and media that MVP will be releasing throughout the year in recognition of MVP’s 20 years of work in this movement to eradicate gender violence.

Announcing Live Conference Webinar

MVPadmin — Wed, 16 May 2012 21:30:20 +0000

Bystander Intervention: from its roots to the road ahead now available as an online webinar!

Great news for those who can’t physically attend Bystander Intervention: from its roots to the road ahead, but still want to participate; MVP is thrilled to announce that the conference will now be available as a live, online, interactive webinar!

Sponsored and produced by Northeastern University’s College of Professional Studies, this online experience will allow participants to log in to their computers from anywhere in the world and access all of the conference activity including the plenary panels.

Importantly, online access will allow participants to ask questions to panelists in real time. The webinar registration fee is $40. Once you register, you will receive a passcode to access the webinar for both days.

Register Now!

Click Here to View the Conference Agenda

MVP helping Cubs, Epstein implement the “Cubs Way.”

MVPadmin — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 18:38:17 +0000

MVP is excited to continue its relationship with Cubs President Theo Epstein by delivering training to all minor and major league players during spring training in Mesa, AZ. “It’s giving them the right tools to deal with difficult situations,” Epstein said. “Sometimes we take for granted that these young kids – because they’re great at what they do on the field – know how to handle all the tough circumstances that they find off the field. It’s our responsibility as an organization.”

“We coach them on the field and we expect them to just make great decisions off the field. We need to give them great coaching off the field (to) help make the right decisions.”

“‘The Cubs Way” means high standards on the field and off the field. There’s got to be accountability in wearing this uniform.”

Read more about “The Cubs Way” in this article on ESPN.com: Theo Epstein ready to do things the ‘Cub Way’

MVP's Jeff O'Brien and Daryl Fort with Theo Epstein, Cubs President of Baseball Operations

Check out Byron Hurt’s Post: “Are You Man Enough to Challenge Too Short?”

MVPadmin — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 17:30:09 +0000

On a recent post on the NewBlackMan blog, MVP founding member Byron Hurt responds to recent misogynistic comments made by rapper Too Short on the XXL Magazine website. In his post, Hurt challenges men to: “…speak up and voice our disapproval and take action when we hear misogyny out of the mouths of other men who do not represent us or our view on manhood.”

Read the full post here: “Byron Hurt: Are You Man Enough to Challenge Too Short?”.

MVP founding member Byron Hurt

Check out Byron Hurt's documentary film "Hip-Hop: Beyond Beats & Rhymes"