Fleming College

Peterborough ON – (February 6, 2018) – Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre (KSAC) is teaming up with Fleming College to offer the MENding Program on campus.

The official launch of the MENding Program at Fleming will take place during a free screening of the award-winning documentary A Better Man on Tuesday, Feb. 13 at 7 p.m. in the Whetung Theatre (B3100) at Sutherland Campus.

KSAC’s MENding Program aims to engage men and boys in ending gender based violence. The program further seeks to create safe and non-judgmental settings to support boys and men in discussing themes of masculinity.

“When delivering bystander training to students, I often have men come to me afterward and ask how they can be more involved, or better allies,” says Amie Kroes, Manager of Student Rights and Responsibilities at Fleming College. “Men want to have a role to play in ending gender-based violence; the MENding program is giving them an established way to get more education and giving men a platform to engage their community on this topic.”

Through the partnership with Fleming College, men who are interested in leading and hosting this conversation will be able to access a train-the-trainer program and build the opportunity to co-host conversations for community social justice and inclusion.

“Society understands ‘masculinity’ through culture, including through music, movies, videogames, sports, school, religious communities, and our home lives. Through MENding, we discuss the messages boys and men see every day and explore how they can impact our identities and harm other people,” says KSAC’s Lisa Clarke.

To learn more about the MENding program, or to book a class/group of boys or men for a conversation, please call Lisa Clarke at Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre at 705-748-5901 or lclarke.ksac@nexicom.net.

About A Better Man
On a hot summer night 22 years ago, 18-year-old Attiya Khan ran through the streets, frightened for her life. She was fleeing her ex-boyfriend Steve, who’d been abusing her on a daily basis. Now, all these years later, Attiya has asked Steve to meet. She wants to know how he remembers their relationship and if he is willing to take responsibility for his violent actions.

This emotionally raw first meeting, filmed by Attiya with Steve’s consent, is the starting point for A Better Man. The rough footage also marks a new beginning in Attiya’s own recovery process—as well as an important starting point for Steve. For the first time ever, he speaks of the abuse and cracks opens the door to dealing with the past.

Illuminating a new paradigm for domestic-violence prevention, A Better Man offers a fresh and nuanced look at the healing and revelation that can happen for everyone involved when men take responsibility for their abuse. It also empowers audience members to play new roles in challenging domestic violence, whether it’s in their own relationships or as part of a broader movement for social change.

About Fleming College
Located in the heart of Central Ontario, Fleming College has campus locations in Peterborough, Lindsay, Cobourg and Haliburton. Named for famous Canadian inventor and engineer Sir Sandford Fleming, the college features more than 100 full-time programs in Arts and Heritage, Business, Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences, General Arts and Sciences, Health and Wellness, Justice and Community Development, Skilled Trades and Technology, and Continuing Education. Fleming College has more than 6,200 full-time and 10,000 part-time students, and 74,000 alumni.

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For more information, please contact:
Lisa Clarke
Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre
lclarke.ksac@nexicom.net
705-748-5901

Laura Copeland
Communications Officer
Fleming College
laura.copeland@flemingcollege.ca
705.749.5530 x 1370