Shed Night men speak out against violence towards women

‘As a community of men, we can stand together and say No to all forms of domestic violence against women. We want to be a model to all men that women are to be treated with respect and honour.’

This is the message coming from the men of Central Yorke Peninsula (CYP) Shed Night, who discussed the issue of violence against women at their 25-July gathering.

The discussion was sparked by an interview with SA/NT District President Rev David Altus, who is an ambassador for the White Ribbon Foundation, the national campaign for the prevention of violence against women.

Pastor Altus explains, ‘White Ribbon Day on 25 November and the White Ribbon Foundation aims to raise awareness of all forms of violence, but particularly violence by a minority of men towards women, which is sadly more common.

‘On becoming president of the district I was asked to become one of 1100 White Ribbon ambassadors in Australia, taking opportunities my position gives me to raise awareness of the issue’, he said. ‘The Shed Night men were encouraged to be positive role models to boys and their own peers about respect and care for women and girls, working together to create a community where men, women and children live free of fear of violence.

‘In Australia 40 per cent of women have experienced violence since the age of 15 and one in three women have experienced physical assault', Pastor Altus pointed out. ‘Domestic and family violence is a primary cause of homelessness, and more than one in five people seeking emergency accommodation are escaping domestic violence.’

Founded in 2003 by Lutheran Brisbane truckie Ian ‘Watto’ Watson, Shed Night has grown into a nation-wide phenomenon, with over 40 Shed Night groups in various communities across Australia. ‘Boys learn to love and respect women from men, not women,’ explains Ian Watson. According to the mission statement, Shed Nights ‘provide a place where men can learn from men “as iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another” (Prov 27:17). This mission is carried out through men talking about matters of the heart, where blokes get real with each other, get real with themselves and get real with God.”

‘No longer can we shut our eyes and ears to the abuse to our sisters and brothers alike’, said Graham Mattschoss, who attended the CYP Shed Night. ‘We need our Heavenly Father's help to give us the courage to stand up for what is right and to pray that we can make a difference to our society.’

The CYP Shed Night men also responded to the unfolding humanitarian disaster in the Horn of Africa, where up to 1300 refugees a day are flooding into Kenyan refugee camps, fleeing war and famine in Somalia.

‘Lutheran World Service is on the ground in the disaster zone, heading the relief efforts. We knew so many people were dying each day so we couldn’t wait, but had to give as much as we could to help’, said Elden Oster. ‘I was told that about $1600 was given, just from the blokes there that night. That was a God-led effort.’