Schedule

If you would like to invite Dr. Clare Murphy to run a workshop or speak to your group or organisation please contact Clare here.

Friday 29 October 2010 – A one-day interactive workshop (Invitation only event)

Queensland State-wide Network of Men’s Stopping Violence Programmes – Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
“Male Perpetrators’ masculinities and social influences: Applying a contemporary theory to practice in men’s groups”

Dr Clare Murphy introduces the subtle, hidden complexities and contradictions of male perpetrators of intimate partner abuse and the social influences that set the foundation for male-to-female abuse such as sexual harassment in the workplace, incest, stranger and acquaintance rape, wife rape, domestic violence, and murder.

In this workshop Clare breaks away from convenient black and white understandings of gender and power. Clare draws from her own research and several international in-depth studies with male perpetrators to unearth the ways men’s masculinities are practiced differently across different social situations according to men’s experiences of power and powerlessness. Research shows many male perpetrators of domestic violence do in fact have pro-social skills, knowledges, abilities, fears, vulnerabilities, weaknesses – and reveals desires for caring relationships amongst men – and for lifelong, loving, close relationships with women. Understanding multiple sides of men’s stories is imperative for preventing abuse and control of women.

Some key components that Clare will discuss:

• Ways men’s relationships with men shape their relationships with women
• How hierarchies of masculinities amongst men are played out and influence abuse of women
• The roles homophobia and fear of femininity have in abusing women
• How some men reconcile mixed social messages that encourage hitting, abusing and using women versus messages that discourage this. Such as – “bad boys get the girls” versus “boys don’t hit girls”
• Deliberate strategies some men use to decide who to abuse, which tactic to use, where and when to abuse them
• A major focus in this workshop will be on men’s motivations. This will help explain why men – even with similar life experiences – do not all go on to abuse and control their partners.
• Multiple social influences that help shape men’s motivations and behaviours – including influences at school, the pub, workplace and sporting arena
• Clare uses two contemporary pro-feminist theories – Raewyn Connell’s theory of masculinities and Pierre Bourdieu’s field theory. There will be opportunities throughout the training day to discuss how participants might put this complex theory into practice and how to build or adapt work with men to incorporate the social influences on men’s use of violence and control

Friday 25 June 2010 – Paper presented at the New Zealand Association of Counsellors Research Conference

Venue: Bethlehem Tertiary Institute – Tauranga, New Zealand
“Complex Realities about Domestic Violence: What counsellors need to know to ensure the safety of women and children”

The movie Once Were Warriors feeds into stereotypes about domestic violence – that perpetrators are non-white, out-of-control, alcohol-fueled, deviant men. In reality, white middle-upper class men beat, abuse and control their well-educated wives, only about 10% of male perpetrators have a mental illness, men who use alcohol hit their partners when sober and men who never use alcohol beat their wives.

Domestic violence does not always entail physical violence. In reality, men’s abuse against female partners entails an ongoing pattern of subtle, hidden, insidious tactics of power and control – this sometimes entails physical violence, but more often it does not. Many people question why women don’t just leave. However, if a woman threatens to, or actually does leave, her chance of being murdered increases by 30-70%.

Domestic violence differs from mutually abusive relationships. It’s about a one-sided form of power and control, with a long history that has given husbands legal and religious entitlement to control their wives. This historical discourse remains interwoven through the fabric of contemporary society and influences some men more than others.

This presentation will increase counsellors’ understandings of the complexities of domestic violence – with the ultimate aim of enhancing women’s and children’s safety.

Sunday 20 June 2010 – A one-day interactive workshop (Invitation only event)

Lifeline Waikato – Hamilton, New Zealand
“Why Doesn’t She Leave? How to support women coping with domestic violence by their male partner”

This workshop challenges popular assumptions such as: women can simply choose to walk away; there is nothing stopping her from leaving; leaving is the right and safest option; women passively put up with the abuse; and, women are codependent, or masochistic. Participants learn about the hidden dynamics of domestic violence. Clare compares a “healthy” relationship that entails occasional disrespect or abuse, a mutually abusive relationship, and a relationship that fits the legal definition of domestic violence. Clare explains complexities involved in why men abuse and control their partners and the personal and social barriers that prevent women from leaving. Clare discusses the stages women may go through in coping with the abuse and she helps counsellors engage in role plays to increase understanding of women at each stage and offers ways counsellors may respond.

Friday 4 June 2010 – An evening’s talk (Closed event)

North Harbour Living Without Violence – Takapuna, North Shore City, New Zealand
“Using Contemporary Feminist Ideas to Up-skill Practice in Men’s Stopping Violence Groups”

Feminist theories have moved away from arguing that all men are real or potential villains – an extension of a patriarchal order whereby all women are perceived as real or potential victims. Contemporary feminist theories argue instead, that not all men abuse their partners, that many men practice egalitarianism and that men’s masculine behaviours are complex, relational and contextual.

But there is still a tendency to assume male perpetrators draw on some fixed notion of a “traditional masculinity” – yet there is no such thing. And that to understand domestic violence, it is assumed men’s relationships with women are key to understanding the problem.

However when men are interviewed in-depth it becomes apparent that one of the strongest influences on men’s behaviour is other men. Hierarchical relationships amongst men entail struggles for power. Part of this struggle for a high position on the hierarchy entails avoiding a low position. This leads many men to suppress qualities and behaviours that are considered dishonourable, subordinate masculine practices. That means suppressing a range of communication skills, empathy, and expressions of love and care (even though research shows many male perpetrators want a caring close partnership). It also means engaging in socially honoured practices such as violence, coercive controlling behaviours, bullying and developing a tough façade amongst males. Controlling women continues to be included as a socially honoured masculine practice that bestows men with honour, prestige and respect.

Clare discusses some ways the struggle for power amongst men can lead some men to abuse their female partners. Understanding this is imperative for developing prevention and intervention strategies.

Tuesday 18 May 2010, 9.30am-4pm – Auckland, New Zealand (Invitation only event)

Supported by Auckland TeRito Coordinators and the “It’s Not OK” Campaign for Action on Family Violence
“Men’s Masculinities and Social Influences: Preventing men’s violence and control against female partners”

Clare introduces the subtle, hidden complexities and contradictions of male perpetrators of intimate partner abuse and the social influences that set the foundation for male-to-female abuse such as sexual harassment in the workplace, incest, stranger and acquaintance rape, wife rape, domestic violence, and murder. In this workshop Clare breaks away from convenient black and white understandings of gender and power. Clare draws from her own research and several international in-depth studies with male perpetrators to unearth the ways men’s masculinities are practiced differently across different social situations according to men’s experiences of power and powerlessness.

See here for participants’ testimonials about this workshop.

Monday 17 May 2010, 1-4pm – Auckland, New Zealand (Invitation only event)

Supported by Auckland TeRito Coordinators and the “It’s Not OK” Campaign for Action on Family Violence
“Domestic Violence Without the Violence: Developing knowledge and skills to prevent psychological abuse and power and control over women by male partners”

Some key components Clare addresses in this workshop:

• The array of abusive and controlling tactics women experience
• Ways women resist and respond to the abuse and control
• Challenges to some domestic violence myths
• Complex personal and social barriers that prevent women from leaving
• Stages women go through in coping with psychological abuse and control
• How helping professionals can better support women

See here for participants’ testimonials about this workshop.

This page last updated 4 August 2010