- Twenty men across Wales have completed specialist training to
help promote respect and healthy relationships.
- The programme equips men working with young people to
challenge harmful behaviours and discuss positive
masculinity.
- Inspired by the training, Cardiff musician James Minas
launched Bros B4 Lows, a support group for men in the music
community.
Twenty men across Wales are helping to create safer communities
for women and girls after completing specialist training through
the Welsh Government's Sound campaign.
Now, they're using what they have learned to support young men
and boys and promote respect, self-reflection and healthy
relationships.
Sound aims to prevent violence against women and girls by
encouraging men to learn about gender-based violence and healthy
behaviours, and to have conversations with their
peers.
In partnership with White Ribbon, the Welsh Government trained
twenty men who already work closely with young people, helping
them start conversations about harmful behaviour, healthy
relationships and positive masculinity.
One ambassador, Cardiff musician James Minas, used the training
to establish Bros B4 Lows - a support group for men in Wales's
music scene. The group provides a safe space to discuss mental
health, relationships and life challenges.
James Minas said:
"I joined the programme because I wanted to learn more and feel
more confident having difficult conversations.
"During the training, I realised there wasn't really a space for
men in Cardiff's music community to come together and support
each other. Being in music can be quite isolating, and I wanted
to give men a safe space to come to if they wanted to, to talk as
little or as much as they like. That's what inspired Bros B4
Lows.
"The response has been really positive. We've already held
several meetups and brought together men from different music
backgrounds. It gives people a chance to talk, listen and support
one another. Those conversations are really important.
Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Social
Justice and Equalities, Sioned said:
"We are committed to ending violence against women, domestic
abuse and sexual violence in our society.
"Prevention is key and it must be part of a whole system
response. That means working across government, services and
communities to challenge harmful attitudes, promote respect and
stop abuse from happening in the first place.
Our Sound ambassadors are already making a real difference in
their communities.
Young men need positive role models who can lead honest
conversations about respect, relationships and behaviour. This
training gives ambassadors the skills and confidence to do
exactly that."
Notes to editors
To learn more about how to take action, visit Sound.
The Live Fear Free helpline, is available 24 hours a day,
for support and advice:
- Live chat: via the website
If you're in immediate danger and cannot talk safely, dial 999
followed by 55 to alert the police
