In November 2010, The Mayor’s Task Force hosted speaker Jackson Katz on the subject of male socialization toward violence. The issue of violence against women requires significant commitment by men to change the behaviours and issues that result in this violence. In 2011, a group of men in Cornwall formed Building Better Men (BBM). This group believes that all men can become part of the solution to stop violence against women in our communities.

BBM is a local initiative endorsed by The Mayor’s Task Force seeking to raise awareness and ultimately eradicate violence against women. In coordination with the Mayor’s office, BBM has participated in having November declared as Women Abuse Prevention Month. As well, BBM was granted permission to place posters highlighting various services available for women and victims of violence in highly visible locations at local libraries. With the help of Cornwall Police Chief Dan Parkinson, Cornwall Police personnel will wear a white ribbon to show their support for BBM and their goal to stop violence against women.

BBM is calling on all men to wear the white ribbon from December 1st until December 9th as a sign of support and commitment to stop violence against women. The White Ribbon Campaign was developed to commemorate the shooting and killing of 14 women at the École Polytechnique de Montréal on December 6th, 1989. Since then, the White Ribbon Campaign has spread worldwide.

BBM is looking to December 8th as a day to encourage men to wear the white ribbon. Members of the committee will be at Wal-Mart on Brookdale Avenue from 10 am to 4 pm. There will be information available on the White Ribbon Campaign, the issues of violence and how positive, non-violent men can lead each other to end violent behaviours and attitudes towards women.

Please join us on December 8th for this important occasion. Get involved!