Hombres Unidos contra la Violencia Familiar

The Hombres Unidos contra la Violencia Familiar project began in 2005 and is the first project aimed at the primary prevention of both sexual and intimate partner violence in the Hispanic migrant community in the United States. As part of this initiative, MCN conducted research on the Knowledge, Attitudes, Beliefs and Behaviors held by migrant men with respect to sexual and intimate partner violence (SV/IPV). Approximately 60% of men surveyed thought rape was a big problem in their community, while 67% thought partner abuse was a big problem and 77% said they would like to help prevent rape and partner abuse in their community.

In the current phase of the project, promotores de salud around the country are using the bilingual Hombres Unidos curriculum to facilitate workshops with Hispanic migrant men in order to prevent violence before it starts. The specific objectives of this phase of the project include the following:

1. Increasing the knowledge among migrant men of factors that contribute to SV/IPV & the consequences of SV/IPV.
2. Changing attitudes and beliefs that support SV/IPV among migrant men.
3. Increasing the skills for preventing SV/IPV among program participants and outreach workers.
4. Mobilizing migrant men to prevent and stop SV/IPV in their communities.

MCN is currently pilot-testing the Hombres Unidos curriculum and will have a final version available for the public in the summer of 2008. The curriculum covers topics such as gender roles, defining SV/IPV, the causes and consequences of violence and building skills to prevent and respond to violence. The promotores carrying out the workshops are excited about the progress so far as the participants have demonstrated real changes in attitudes and the desire to speak out against violence in the community. Omar Fana Tavarez, a facilitator from Pennsylvania explains his gratification at seeing the participants share their comments on how the program is affecting them, saying "one man explained to the whole group that the workshops have truly affected him and that he thinks he is going to be a better father and husband when he reunites with his family."

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Comments from Participants

I'm glad to be part of this program. It feels awesome to be part of such a positive activity and more than an activity, I think it's a life-changing program. -- Omar Fana Tavarez, Facilitator in Pennsylvania

The men accepted us with open arms. I thought there would be more resistance to this type of program. -- Esteban Moya, Facilitator in Florida

I have children and if my community is better, that means a better future for my family -- anonymous survey respondent

[I want to participate] to end all the violence that exists so that I can live more peacefully without abuse against women and the family. -- anonymous survey respondent.