Episode Notes:
Engaging men and boys in prevention work is critical to ending gender-based violence. To do so, we must acknowledge social norms that hinder not only prevention but also accessibility of resources for male survivors. In emphasizing the importance of male-identifying-focused programs and initiatives, this episode unpacks the ways masculinity, mental health, and violence intersect. Jeff Puster joins the conversation to provide insight into these dynamics, such as best practices for engaging these populations and strategies to address challenges.
Jeff is a violence prevention and engaging men specialist who has worked for 16 years in the field of intimate-partner violence prevention. Much of that time was spent establishing safe environments for children to visit with a parent during supervised visitations and co-founding a non-profit organization in Tennessee. Since moving back to Ohio in 2017 with his family, Jeff has worked with OhioHealth’s Sexual Assault Response Network of Central Ohio (SARNCO), providing training on college campuses and at facilities for young men who are incarcerated. Jeff has been a member of the Ohio Men’s Action Network (OHMAN) and is currently providing contract work with the Ohio Domestic Violence Network.
Follow this link to connect with Joining Forces for Children: https://www.joiningforcesforchildren.org/.
