The International Conference on Violence Against Men and Boys was a ground-breaking event envisioned by the U.S. Council on Violence Against Men and Boys and designed to provide relevant, informative, and actionable ideas and approaches to violence intervention.  Attendees convened with experts from around the globe to gain knowledge and deeper insight, discuss pressing issues, and devise lever-pulling health equity strategies to reduce the profound harm caused by gender violence. With diverse perspectives on an array of topics, they explored the intersectionality of violence and evidence-based practices, and received practical guidance on implementing violence prevention programs, overcoming challenges, and measuring impact. Throughout the event, attendees had the opportunity to connect and collaborate with like-minded professionals, researchers, policymakers, and practitioners.

Conference Objectives

1. Build a Community of Practice: The conference will convene decision-making cross-sector stakeholders, as well as those impacted, to develop global, national and local strategies to address structural barriers and inequities that lead to violence and trauma experienced by men and boys.

2. Raise Awareness: The conference will create a platform for raising awareness about the different types of violence that men and boys face, including childhood family violence, sexual violence and abuse, bullying and emotional harm, trafficking, community and youth violence, ritual and faith-based violence and abuse, exploitation within the sports industry, violence in humanitarian and conflict settings, and military assault. By shedding light on these issues, it aims to challenge societal norms and perceptions surrounding violence against males. 

3. Reframe Violence as a Health Issue: By emphasizing the health consequences and sequelae of violence, the conference seeks to change the narrative around violence against men and boys. It will highlight the physical, psychological, and social impacts of violence and its implications for the well-being of individuals and communities. The syndemic framework for concurrently treating victimization and co-occurring mental health, substance dependency, HIV/STI, and PTSD will be introduced. 

4. Enhance Prevention Strategies: The conference will provide evidence-based approaches to prevent violence against men and boys. It will explore primary, secondary and tertiary prevention strategies, including education and awareness campaigns, community engagement, and policy advocacy, with a focus on empowering individuals and communities to challenge the structural determinants that sustain exploitation.

5. Strengthen Response and Support: The conference will equip healthcare and social service providers with the knowledge and skills to identify, respond to, and support males impacted by violence and trauma. Trainers will address trauma-informed care, psychosocial interventions, syndemic-based interventions, equitable surveillance and the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration to enhance the overall response to violence against males.

6. Catalyze Strategic Funding: The conference seeks to catalyze investment in equitable research to learn more about the structural, social, commercial and individual determinants of violence against males.

7. Empower Engagement: The conference strategically and intentionally empowers males as stakeholders in the global efforts in addressing violence as a public health issue.